tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43765300298285687722024-03-05T08:40:19.052+00:00FROCKTASIAFrocktasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649180645331805365noreply@blogger.comBlogger184125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376530029828568772.post-17402329849524616572016-05-30T17:54:00.001+01:002016-12-27T18:33:43.545+00:00I'm still alive!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLWQRvgARQv7gXPsQElqD4Eh3o-GYURyH5sQC038JsPDbtlq1_MHGbyn5jCmzrxQyFCiufgFHhVpm08Rv3klvGy-d02dxhWrn9b3rgZjT2-X4nZugHEfFgCqP9QFRz88V5PYkglUl/s1600/888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLWQRvgARQv7gXPsQElqD4Eh3o-GYURyH5sQC038JsPDbtlq1_MHGbyn5jCmzrxQyFCiufgFHhVpm08Rv3klvGy-d02dxhWrn9b3rgZjT2-X4nZugHEfFgCqP9QFRz88V5PYkglUl/s640/888.jpg" width="454" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hey fabulous folks!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I haven't been in blogger mode for what seems like an eternity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">However, should you want to, you can still hook up with me on:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/birdbeneaththewaves/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/frocktasia/" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><a href="https://twitter.com/FROCKTASIA" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hope to see you there :)</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Jennie</span></span></div>
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Frocktasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649180645331805365noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376530029828568772.post-60852566320135545162014-10-30T18:48:00.000+00:002014-10-30T19:17:39.045+00:00 Meet People, Go Places, Do Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A few years ago Mark and I were strolling along a beautiful sun soaked beach in Thailand after a wonderful snorkeling excursion. I remember talking excitedly about the amazing things I had seen under the surface as well as bemoaning the fact that my lungs would only let me stay down for about forty seconds at a time before demanding I'd return to the surface for another greedy gulp of air. </div>
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When Mark said <b>"We should learn how to scuba dive"</b> I just kind of laughed it off, as back then I mistakenly thought that scuba diving was the reserve for people with plenty of cash to splash. </div>
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However on our return to the UK Mark phoned a few places to inquire about training and costs and after considerable deliberation we decided to sign-up for the PADI Open Water Course with <a href="http://www.divewimbledon.com/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx" target="_blank">Dive Wimbledon </a>and so the journey to awesomeness began.</div>
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As ridiculous as this may sound to others, learning how to scuba dive totally revolutionized my life and it has had a profound effect on my self-confidence. Sometimes something brilliant comes along that makes you glow and grow and for me that something was scuba diving.</div>
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"Meet People, Go Places, Do Things" is the PADI motto and since becoming Divemaster Trainee with <a href="http://www.aquatron.co.uk/cgi-bin/web_store.cgi" target="_blank">Aquatron Dive Centre</a> that has become my sweet life :)</div>
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Yesterday Mark had a day off so we jumped in the car and drove to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loch_Long" target="_blank">Loch Long</a>. In the morning we dived a site called <a href="http://www.finstrokes.com/shore-dive/100-the-caves.html" target="_blank">The Caves</a> and in the afternoon we moved down the shore to a site called <a href="http://www.finstrokes.com/shore-dive/29-finnart.html" target="_blank">The A-Frames</a>. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC82aBxx98ASHgMCDIfbSEq5frDPAWMAwdoPoPpbzXBRakVeI79lqzKQTpAo4ERXK8T-jSRdaAw1mhG1T897cXiS3MmaL8o6sbgY7ltT-srGpTNsAgZC4pbLnaafyayt6Pz9xfCsHu/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC82aBxx98ASHgMCDIfbSEq5frDPAWMAwdoPoPpbzXBRakVeI79lqzKQTpAo4ERXK8T-jSRdaAw1mhG1T897cXiS3MmaL8o6sbgY7ltT-srGpTNsAgZC4pbLnaafyayt6Pz9xfCsHu/s1600/a.jpg" height="640" width="458" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Caves - Loch Long</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2ydJ7kS8nLt0EUJh-OEnt7SlGVovIfV6aHRDCpl08BNF3RsNXIab1yofwMIP84nSTEkwRUA8OuR04uD-WgnPAjGYHkb338i3LYEMSaJ4WV0VfG1QFmaSCX8XfZaZ9__jIP6OGAmM/s1600/aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2ydJ7kS8nLt0EUJh-OEnt7SlGVovIfV6aHRDCpl08BNF3RsNXIab1yofwMIP84nSTEkwRUA8OuR04uD-WgnPAjGYHkb338i3LYEMSaJ4WV0VfG1QFmaSCX8XfZaZ9__jIP6OGAmM/s1600/aa.jpg" height="640" width="458" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark and Jen enjoying a post dive coffee.</td></tr>
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We've had a fair bit of rain and blustery winds here in Scotland of late but yesterday we had perfect diving weather. In the morning there was barely a ripple on the loch and we even had some blue sky breaking through in the afternoon. The water temperature was a cool 10<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">°</span>C but even after a 45 minute dive I still didn't feel that cold, in other words there is a very good reason why so many fellow divers opt for the Scubapro Everdry 4, it keeps you nice and toasty.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEugWPRPmk-LKkR1Jg1tYUqJDY0Hj8Q0OgescoR9RsqWZhvgInzja6HyezPThLKmAzBjuHmbIHRoP5uu40rkvGbqj87DSSSnQDbY-OxsQjJY2R2xYGQR4Z70zr2TQ6e30FgIxEbkyV/s1600/aaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEugWPRPmk-LKkR1Jg1tYUqJDY0Hj8Q0OgescoR9RsqWZhvgInzja6HyezPThLKmAzBjuHmbIHRoP5uu40rkvGbqj87DSSSnQDbY-OxsQjJY2R2xYGQR4Z70zr2TQ6e30FgIxEbkyV/s1600/aaa.jpg" height="640" width="630" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-dive lunch at A-Frames where we managed to gatecrash an army exercise.</td></tr>
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The highlight of the day was having our first ever catshark encounter. Sadly we didn't bring the GoPro camera on these dives which was a real shame because the visibility was really quite good but I was brushing up on my navigating skills and we thought it best not to task load ourselves. There will be another encounter I am sure.</div>
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I will wrap up with a little medley of pics from the past couple of months.</div>
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Now that Mark and I are both Divemasters in training we will be doing a lot more diving with the school, both as little helpers and as students ourselves.</div>
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The first rung on the PADI professional ladder looms in the distance but first there is plenty of studying, practicing, perfecting, working and playing to be done :)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu41xwZkum54DBzyy8of52TUSCHKS6eEIG5JFkyzy6TyTBoaC6ABTYn1VjjaJCKBnzrFBoZwMk66Cb7tuwZZxR2HSLK_uRm6n5qpiwovfokjn5-o3aXfl8hnFBLSxSnfAF2JqinmSE/s1600/t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu41xwZkum54DBzyy8of52TUSCHKS6eEIG5JFkyzy6TyTBoaC6ABTYn1VjjaJCKBnzrFBoZwMk66Cb7tuwZZxR2HSLK_uRm6n5qpiwovfokjn5-o3aXfl8hnFBLSxSnfAF2JqinmSE/s1600/t.jpg" height="402" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The PADI Master Scuba Diver is the highest non-professional certification level in the PADI system of diver education, it has been so much fun getting to this point and I am very much looking forward to getting on the first rung of the PADI professional ladder.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJr2WTHH0TgRKy4aZ2x0UwEevSuX4AiS8AZQJxt322YAMzxa3tWorW5M2BnduccE39-afMBEcFXf6NAroJtvdfQDPpB8CewFtjEgnYdnt2CC6pOEALuYGVktXB11n6yBf97yJU2cn8/s1600/tt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJr2WTHH0TgRKy4aZ2x0UwEevSuX4AiS8AZQJxt322YAMzxa3tWorW5M2BnduccE39-afMBEcFXf6NAroJtvdfQDPpB8CewFtjEgnYdnt2CC6pOEALuYGVktXB11n6yBf97yJU2cn8/s1600/tt.jpg" height="436" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark and I did four pool sessions and three open water days with the school this month. We also did the Enriched Air Diver Course and bagged our certs with flying colours, huzzah!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-BIXgyGzGxEYSa_Pw2Vzesczq3h1tAw-kl-_rlJ-K5YOsfHcajMAxOu7uWLJwhQw6w0ZTxp8RefdAyXttdUELiEAilgMdzfGRwIei4sn6hcsr0Yg5WYQLCshTYeT0biPDleCoq_Q/s1600/ghggds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-BIXgyGzGxEYSa_Pw2Vzesczq3h1tAw-kl-_rlJ-K5YOsfHcajMAxOu7uWLJwhQw6w0ZTxp8RefdAyXttdUELiEAilgMdzfGRwIei4sn6hcsr0Yg5WYQLCshTYeT0biPDleCoq_Q/s1600/ghggds.jpg" height="352" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.c-divers.com/dive-sites-st-catherines.html" target="_blank">St. Catherines</a> - Loch Fyne with Aquatron Dive Centre</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXa2COTya87vE0Zz9ViGSkO6dUPs_l-pYthu8tlZRj9kAJcOPK_SJztUCzjJF9ZvX4jvMcgfDbA23O3MfGFANkdP2xdBe6RP37SWZ4TJ6qHYAbAKshWxxWeEupCZsLu_R0UREFYTcw/s1600/tweqyt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXa2COTya87vE0Zz9ViGSkO6dUPs_l-pYthu8tlZRj9kAJcOPK_SJztUCzjJF9ZvX4jvMcgfDbA23O3MfGFANkdP2xdBe6RP37SWZ4TJ6qHYAbAKshWxxWeEupCZsLu_R0UREFYTcw/s1600/tweqyt.jpg" height="444" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.finstrokes.com/shore-dive/8-29-steps.html" target="_blank">29 Steps</a> with the Open Water students who all did swimmingly.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDrZzHlXOkk_GUu0J_gfSfCDGgOLz7w33UjbTQSIWwS6JEPFR_iSV2yvHIQm7BEvNZ7A78So4qIWDeDQHRMAcxYFXlodSC_DB7GtWl1-eHfTa5vPiFE0a9coOgSIiQMuEG41AbOOx/s1600/rerer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDrZzHlXOkk_GUu0J_gfSfCDGgOLz7w33UjbTQSIWwS6JEPFR_iSV2yvHIQm7BEvNZ7A78So4qIWDeDQHRMAcxYFXlodSC_DB7GtWl1-eHfTa5vPiFE0a9coOgSIiQMuEG41AbOOx/s1600/rerer.jpg" height="332" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark also did the first part of the Night Diver course at the A-Frames, I tagged along to serve up a hot drink during the surface interval.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmWmi6dKrrKZD6fvWic_8GNaAH3s19aegVRDMcYml4mQcg_Z_qgLw_AckQ-dkkvFXoB1m1Z5Z-NhF_u-GdxR_2DtO8ItR07XCEpX_Y2jP17B4tF31PpebFDL4K7B7MUu3bHqvXS1r/s1600/stcatss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmWmi6dKrrKZD6fvWic_8GNaAH3s19aegVRDMcYml4mQcg_Z_qgLw_AckQ-dkkvFXoB1m1Z5Z-NhF_u-GdxR_2DtO8ItR07XCEpX_Y2jP17B4tF31PpebFDL4K7B7MUu3bHqvXS1r/s1600/stcatss.jpg" height="640" width="448" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Catherines with the school last Sunday. It was a bit of a dreich day but it takes more than a bit of rain and wind to wipe the smile off a Scottish scuba divers face, we are hardcore ;)</td></tr>
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Next month is set to be just as busy, kicking off with the Aquatron Big Sale Weekend and Halloween Charity Dance this Saturday. Mark's costume is all sorted but as per usual I am still pondering what get-up to go for, too many choices is my delightful problem.<br />
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Have a funderful Halloween peeps :)<br />
Loads of love,<br />
Jennie<br />
xXx<br />
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Frocktasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649180645331805365noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376530029828568772.post-49160079743245610072014-09-16T13:11:00.000+01:002014-09-16T13:24:17.986+01:00Being AWARE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On Sunday <a href="http://www.aquatron.co.uk/cgi-bin/web_store.cgi" target="_blank">Aquatron Dive Centre</a> did something absolutely brilliant! </div>
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Spearheaded by Awesome Annie, a bunch of people gave up their Sunday lie in and headed to Dog Fish Reef, Loch Fyne to take part in the <a href="http://www.projectaware.org/about-movement" target="_blank">Project AWARE Foundation</a> <a href="http://www.projectaware.org/project/debris-month-action" target="_blank">Debris Month of Action</a>.</div>
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Dog Fish Reef is a very popular site for fishermen, campers and divers but unfortunately due to some peoples inability to dispose of their trash in a responsible manner it has over time started to resemble a rubbish dump with bags of trash stuffed in the bushes and litter & fishing line strewn across the shore. </div>
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The main aim of the day was to do a site clean-up both on shore and under the surface, because the litter on land very easily becomes <a href="http://www.projectaware.org/project/marine-debris" target="_blank">marine debris</a> and sadly when this happens it is usually a case of 'out of sight, out of mind' for many people.</div>
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Every year an astonishing amount of waste makes its way underwater and can reach even the most remote ocean areas. The rubbish kills wildlife, destroys habitats and threatens our health and economy.</div>
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As a diver you have a unique opportunity to protect the ocean environment and making every dive that you do a <a href="http://www.projectaware.org/project/dive-against-debris" target="_blank">Dive Against Debris</a>, even if it is just a quick removal of some fishing line or stuffing a stray piece of rubbish into your mesh bag when you spot it.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNohfKxQH4Ru-rkOHqCuOU0QVt818hHPUfz2OKVFBfLyiqgQCcAgyiNaLQshPQb9DM5CLF_lnXBMBGqO65BAhBshveXD2Z_w2ScDsjW3z5WbvZzWz88s_V3XzfB1shb7_66Gl32wHV/s1600/TheUglyJourneyofTrashInfographicWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNohfKxQH4Ru-rkOHqCuOU0QVt818hHPUfz2OKVFBfLyiqgQCcAgyiNaLQshPQb9DM5CLF_lnXBMBGqO65BAhBshveXD2Z_w2ScDsjW3z5WbvZzWz88s_V3XzfB1shb7_66Gl32wHV/s1600/TheUglyJourneyofTrashInfographicWeb.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the <a href="http://www.projectaware.org/" target="_blank">Project AWARE</a> website.</td></tr>
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The simple action of removing rubbish from the shore or the underwater world has the potential of preventing more of these horrible things from happening...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJdTvPI_fiUSl_YloyfdszkFfBpiczXIwDJRbAJKcD2r3qxJDL43Z55RhkG4nnQCP8jElZBop7d5xO_80Gb6v-ctZvAjF57ekYY8KSlA7zkirHKf8wd1iV1cxITOljeaf94vaJO_M/s1600/rubbish+kills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJdTvPI_fiUSl_YloyfdszkFfBpiczXIwDJRbAJKcD2r3qxJDL43Z55RhkG4nnQCP8jElZBop7d5xO_80Gb6v-ctZvAjF57ekYY8KSlA7zkirHKf8wd1iV1cxITOljeaf94vaJO_M/s1600/rubbish+kills.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pics found via Google images.</td></tr>
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You don't have to be a diver to make a difference either, it is just as important to remove rubbish from the shore thus preventing it from ever entering the water.</div>
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Here's the Aquatron Dive Against Debris day in pictures...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMTpEbTQfYHkxDIaj6tMG3sf0ENlEnYQyyJqxdh6nsRmpewelqkoJ34eyv2IA_G0BfM-50d62cirIlpeJ4B4D155bLGR3PV0QzxjEJ5XapbWaXVmf81OQY9fdE1q-1Cmf1dSzsfgB/s1600/Aquatron+Dog+Fish+Reef+Dive+Against+Debris+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMTpEbTQfYHkxDIaj6tMG3sf0ENlEnYQyyJqxdh6nsRmpewelqkoJ34eyv2IA_G0BfM-50d62cirIlpeJ4B4D155bLGR3PV0QzxjEJ5XapbWaXVmf81OQY9fdE1q-1Cmf1dSzsfgB/s1600/Aquatron+Dog+Fish+Reef+Dive+Against+Debris+Day.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.finstrokes.com/shore-dive/20-dogfish-reef.html" target="_blank">Dog Fish Reef</a> at Loch Fyne.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lh8N3ATWGrW8kq0MnvlcN7AyJDIQfJp7B7pRxLwFdc-MwESky0jXWMLcYITi-zwHtAu4U_fBGI7JCBm7PP7UjnzcjOYcQr2Fd71Si47MOdgAeNvNlCSFV690StjF1wcDpNQAnbi8/s1600/Aquatron+Dog+Fish+Reef+Dive+Against+Debris+Day+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lh8N3ATWGrW8kq0MnvlcN7AyJDIQfJp7B7pRxLwFdc-MwESky0jXWMLcYITi-zwHtAu4U_fBGI7JCBm7PP7UjnzcjOYcQr2Fd71Si47MOdgAeNvNlCSFV690StjF1wcDpNQAnbi8/s1600/Aquatron+Dog+Fish+Reef+Dive+Against+Debris+Day+(1).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark and I did our PADI Rescue Diver Course here back in May.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTUXcrPAr4CJGOb_DPK_J2l4-3C3vNjr5ZaObLtNS3x-wsjY1jyOmncnhchkPGfuVio2ziNQrFWdFHBdVH4_CwMxlbQt90MfOaB8LYudfHskwSWwqPx_tjMcWaMJzgpKKN4Hkk37M/s1600/Aquatron+Dog+Fish+Reef+Dive+Against+Debris+Day+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTUXcrPAr4CJGOb_DPK_J2l4-3C3vNjr5ZaObLtNS3x-wsjY1jyOmncnhchkPGfuVio2ziNQrFWdFHBdVH4_CwMxlbQt90MfOaB8LYudfHskwSWwqPx_tjMcWaMJzgpKKN4Hkk37M/s1600/Aquatron+Dog+Fish+Reef+Dive+Against+Debris+Day+(2).jpg" height="342" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was nice to see such a good turn out for the event. <br />
Argyll and Bute council had kindly provided litter picker tools and protective gloves for the shore clean-up.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3l4_Hg7NzwsH9T54s3ZllksTKDWO-VlGrI1KY3HU9CF3oHulkaNUkYGknr_MDo0gwFzHznKjr2efGqo6T7mcWKHMqVQPwjbrcJsQtPUsdVSJcLUFb7xZhHYCqg6zRGHoDWMXmbiN/s1600/Aquatron+Dog+Fish+Reef+Dive+Against+Debris+Day+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3l4_Hg7NzwsH9T54s3ZllksTKDWO-VlGrI1KY3HU9CF3oHulkaNUkYGknr_MDo0gwFzHznKjr2efGqo6T7mcWKHMqVQPwjbrcJsQtPUsdVSJcLUFb7xZhHYCqg6zRGHoDWMXmbiN/s1600/Aquatron+Dog+Fish+Reef+Dive+Against+Debris+Day+(3).jpg" height="468" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, that is me on the right, looking amazingly fabulous in my scuba gear ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAY4N_dC4BnnFX-0hSCFtuuXjV6SEOnJ3WGqkQlmVocLw36ZmrG5Ben7MNKZ6nTvA4ny4lE_U2xTJjTC6GyeP0oH4Wma45r1vHj3hZu4QYh3ettMezfHj_7anqy0lEwZxxrtSs4aV/s1600/Aquatron+Dog+Fish+Reef+Dive+Against+Debris+Day+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAY4N_dC4BnnFX-0hSCFtuuXjV6SEOnJ3WGqkQlmVocLw36ZmrG5Ben7MNKZ6nTvA4ny4lE_U2xTJjTC6GyeP0oH4Wma45r1vHj3hZu4QYh3ettMezfHj_7anqy0lEwZxxrtSs4aV/s1600/Aquatron+Dog+Fish+Reef+Dive+Against+Debris+Day+(4).jpg" height="494" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The underwater debris removal crack team after their first dive.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVlyYqzy8l1VQXMjMKIeFTkTq2ZNE9NU-YXYXqQfqt4l9DXkX9eEDfLmXbx9HIT7bwsqtWB9Cn1iLqLHEilb2QJi4g-DKSUifQQrqmycMY2WV4ZDiy4oVKXF53HhZkcqPPxqkyhDL/s1600/Aquatron+Dog+Fish+Reef+Dive+Against+Debris+Day+(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVlyYqzy8l1VQXMjMKIeFTkTq2ZNE9NU-YXYXqQfqt4l9DXkX9eEDfLmXbx9HIT7bwsqtWB9Cn1iLqLHEilb2QJi4g-DKSUifQQrqmycMY2WV4ZDiy4oVKXF53HhZkcqPPxqkyhDL/s1600/Aquatron+Dog+Fish+Reef+Dive+Against+Debris+Day+(5).jpg" height="606" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shore crew sorting out the debris, counting and weighing it so that it can be added to the <a href="http://www.projectaware.org/diveagainstdebrismap" target="_blank">Dive Against Debris Map</a> and project stats.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_IuKrOn8KqV2QIwYDwlgZzyW7vjYM6mshSoJSQGduhBG3_tzAIje8h_ZcJAF73T8_IlXRiJzRuzGkKijnjeHlF0oPVQo8moZ2223Ek3zLae6RF7AYQw4mxdWf0xxoQF3BJSwjf_mp/s1600/Aquatron+Dog+Fish+Reef+Dive+Against+Debris+Day+(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_IuKrOn8KqV2QIwYDwlgZzyW7vjYM6mshSoJSQGduhBG3_tzAIje8h_ZcJAF73T8_IlXRiJzRuzGkKijnjeHlF0oPVQo8moZ2223Ek3zLae6RF7AYQw4mxdWf0xxoQF3BJSwjf_mp/s1600/Aquatron+Dog+Fish+Reef+Dive+Against+Debris+Day+(6).jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just some of the debris collected.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA0gU1pBIo0jl4q6nUCOj0rfTi3sjd6MkoilMCG8NTdE_kHkyQDinWu53Eymw5eEHujEx8t8xqLoL4bLynQJl-l1zHtx9bgm4WO1zK47kaBGFXgDt-eqDmiVGUkMA4z4AnUQX0UHtE/s1600/Aquatron+Dog+Fish+Reef+Dive+Against+Debris+Day+(7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA0gU1pBIo0jl4q6nUCOj0rfTi3sjd6MkoilMCG8NTdE_kHkyQDinWu53Eymw5eEHujEx8t8xqLoL4bLynQJl-l1zHtx9bgm4WO1zK47kaBGFXgDt-eqDmiVGUkMA4z4AnUQX0UHtE/s1600/Aquatron+Dog+Fish+Reef+Dive+Against+Debris+Day+(7).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crack team spotted a wheelbarrow but decided to leave it behind as quite a few underwater creatures had made their home on it. The general guideline is to leave alone if things are growing on it or living inside it, unless of course it is something very harmful to the aquatic environment.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8X0TqV_n_kx5epi5yZLuMMnHved35_sPyxGe-r7TM3SjsssvgzwvygSTU6f8qR8DTphVrY1crXSTU75T64m0tVHzFtG-2V5OcjfbVCk36wL2ZOCbUoIb6AUuW6ZQA0d6tg9qpcBO/s1600/Aquatron+Dog+Fish+Reef+Dive+Against+Debris+Day+(9).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8X0TqV_n_kx5epi5yZLuMMnHved35_sPyxGe-r7TM3SjsssvgzwvygSTU6f8qR8DTphVrY1crXSTU75T64m0tVHzFtG-2V5OcjfbVCk36wL2ZOCbUoIb6AUuW6ZQA0d6tg9qpcBO/s1600/Aquatron+Dog+Fish+Reef+Dive+Against+Debris+Day+(9).jpg" height="640" width="596" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is Mark with a couple of divers getting kitted up for their second dive.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibFXPsPDJn1UXLmcOm5TFRSFwpa8rXOXi50fMOgkOQAXBChVsGv8r3etdcxg5lCPUB7VHvILr6cHvCal1XrCboU-EuVkkcN8qqHN12z4pnGE7ANEiLR48RHlCAAYYNiVmZ3D6isUgY/s1600/Aquatron+Dog+Fish+Reef+Dive+Against+Debris+Day+(10).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibFXPsPDJn1UXLmcOm5TFRSFwpa8rXOXi50fMOgkOQAXBChVsGv8r3etdcxg5lCPUB7VHvILr6cHvCal1XrCboU-EuVkkcN8qqHN12z4pnGE7ANEiLR48RHlCAAYYNiVmZ3D6isUgY/s1600/Aquatron+Dog+Fish+Reef+Dive+Against+Debris+Day+(10).jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark did his second Divemaster Trainee session on Sunday. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidijYAqZwcveUZypKb4UaYtdC1MyIGwc3gi7ycwvaCiqfW8M1fqQsBOTCd-_CuykV4ijHwoIV81VfskzDJpsOEOD56tqplxabFf80pIB_J_LrW4n0iJJ7OavgxnTorizaa4zIKU6Dc/s1600/Aquatron+Dog+Fish+Reef+Dive+Against+Debris+Day+(11).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidijYAqZwcveUZypKb4UaYtdC1MyIGwc3gi7ycwvaCiqfW8M1fqQsBOTCd-_CuykV4ijHwoIV81VfskzDJpsOEOD56tqplxabFf80pIB_J_LrW4n0iJJ7OavgxnTorizaa4zIKU6Dc/s1600/Aquatron+Dog+Fish+Reef+Dive+Against+Debris+Day+(11).jpg" height="442" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All bagged up and ready to be collected by Argyll and Bute council.<br />
My hat goes off to the sorting crew that had to go through all the festering refuse that people had left behind in the bushes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXdIeKEe31aSLZJhU2f21a7oIsLRqDdz-jk_qZNOGNiIJQfWxh4paYHM8MuAziKNNr3KrDCpBB3z3M6zMLOevqZOZGXonnoLuBOrtT9g0hN6LwGf8vML-pwsUyCWNcDbhyphenhyphen83YTdvM/s1600/Aquatron+Dog+Fish+Reef+Dive+Against+Debris+Day+(12).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXdIeKEe31aSLZJhU2f21a7oIsLRqDdz-jk_qZNOGNiIJQfWxh4paYHM8MuAziKNNr3KrDCpBB3z3M6zMLOevqZOZGXonnoLuBOrtT9g0hN6LwGf8vML-pwsUyCWNcDbhyphenhyphen83YTdvM/s1600/Aquatron+Dog+Fish+Reef+Dive+Against+Debris+Day+(12).jpg" height="374" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A worthwhile way to spend a day, I think you'll agree.</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
In other news this old girl turned forty the other week, became a certified <a href="http://www.padi.com/scuba-diving/padi-courses/course-catalog/master-scuba-diver/" target="_blank">PADI Master Scuba Diver</a> and started her <a href="http://www.padi.com/scuba-diving/padi-courses/course-catalog/divemaster/" target="_blank">PADI Divemaster</a> Internship with <a href="http://www.aquatron.co.uk/cgi-bin/web_store.cgi" target="_blank">Aquatron Dive Centre</a>, exciting times! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2R1YGIrZi3TTP1-pk03EiOsfVdF0Uzsg0DC-vHMNhBksaLOxrlprBt1ScphgdtUd09jJYTJmvC10yA5dSo8SluWlMfCPcKOhJzXYc9k6pXFuLAFvgn33czxe4q7dEvaoxsDJPT_ni/s1600/50+dives.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2R1YGIrZi3TTP1-pk03EiOsfVdF0Uzsg0DC-vHMNhBksaLOxrlprBt1ScphgdtUd09jJYTJmvC10yA5dSo8SluWlMfCPcKOhJzXYc9k6pXFuLAFvgn33czxe4q7dEvaoxsDJPT_ni/s1600/50+dives.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hope you are all doing grand.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will love you and leave you with a cracking tune by the amazing <a href="http://www.afroceltsoundsystem.com/" target="_blank">Afro Celt Sound System</a>, enjoy :)</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
All the best,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jennie</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
xXx</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Frocktasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649180645331805365noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376530029828568772.post-22360898994891788402014-08-23T02:11:00.000+01:002014-08-23T14:12:45.362+01:00Happy Days Are Here To Stay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It is hard to believe that a year ago we were in the midst of 'moving mayhem'.</div>
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We had to push hard to clear the bottleneck and free ourselves from a tremendous amount of crap and clutter but we got there in the end.</div>
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London feels like a shadow from a distant past now and I feel like I've finally found my way home after thirteen years at sea.</div>
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I admit that leaving London after all that time wasn't all plain sailing and smiles, there was a great deal of apprehensiveness involved too.</div>
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After all we did just kind of up sticks, leaving the financial security that Mark's job had provided behind and when we landed in Glasgow we had to hit the ground running.</div>
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It seems we've had luck on our side and things have turned out jolly well for us, better than we even dared to hope when we were discussing the future twelve months ago.</div>
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I am so thankful that the last year of my thirties was one of rapturous change.</div>
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To celebrate my big birthday (which isn't actually until next month) Mark and I went on a fabulous road trip last week. </div>
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We visited spellbindingly beautiful South Wales and spent two nights at the stunning <a href="http://beechesfarmcampsite.co.uk/" target="_blank">Beeches Farm </a><a href="http://beechesfarmcampsite.co.uk/" target="_blank">Campsite</a>, which is only a stones throw from our beloved <a href="http://www.ndac.co.uk/" target="_blank">NDAC </a>near Chepstow where we did our Advanced Open Water Course two years ago (you can read about that <a href="http://frocktasia.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/underwater-love-20.html" target="_blank">here </a>& <a href="http://frocktasia.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/scuba-dooby-doo.html" target="_blank">here</a>).</div>
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After a days awesome diving at NDAC last Thursday we headed towards the south coast to hook up with a friend from <a href="http://www.divewimbledon.com/" target="_blank">Dive Wimbledon</a> and his lovely wife who had rented a caravan in Swanage.</div>
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We did two wreck dives with <a href="http://www.diversdownswanage.co.uk/" target="_blank">Divers Down</a> on Saturday and on Sunday we dived Swanage Pier twice.</div>
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Despite <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/aug/10/hurricane-bertha-remnants-flooding-gusts-britain" target="_blank">hurricane Bertha</a> blowing a hoolie in the run up to our little holiday, we had pretty decent weather.</div>
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The second night at Beeches Farm we were even treated to a completely clear night sky and spent some time gazing at the stars. I was thrilled to spot three shooting stars, I haven't seen one of them for years.</div>
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On Monday we were planning to make a wee stop off at The Lakes for one night but the skies looked threateningly heavy and dull so we decided to do the Swanage to Glasgow trip in one excruciating hit.</div>
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The motorway was clogged up and our wee handicapped car was starting to make disgruntled noises, thankfully the lucky spirits were yet again looking out for us and we made it back home before he decided to go on strike.</div>
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The day after we jumped on a train to Edinburgh to go and soak up some <a href="https://www.edfringe.com/" target="_blank">Fringe</a> vibes and do some serious guerrilla drinking. Our lovely Bulgarian friends sent us a rather nifty picnic bag with a wine cooler attachment that came in handy.</div>
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We lazed around on our tartan blanket in The Meadows and Princess Street Gardens, enjoyed free-bee gigs in The Grassmarket and on The Royal Mile. </div>
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We made a couple of trips to replenish the wine cooler bag and bypassed the pubs altogether, like the young man in the bottle shop so wisely said "why pay £7.50 for a glass of wine, when you can have the whole bottle for a fiver". Why, indeed.</div>
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In Glasgow the consumption of alcohol in public places has been illegal since 1996 and you can be fined for enjoying a bottle of vino whilst having a picnic in the park, however in Edinburgh you are allowed to drink in public so long as you don't noise up the police, I like Edinburgh!</div>
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As per usual I took about a gazillion photos, you would be forgiven for thinking that I've super-glued the camera to my hands and never do anything else but snap away with it.</div>
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I do so love taking photos and with so much awesomeness to be awestruck by, can you blame me?!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLH_pDxqhju5MMm8jWPAd-5a19C-nlg8WTZEsj6aPU4wOqCDp53wXJFuAZKVCsVKjtxGM11XzrfKvPaSGZPRCNjd5KHq6m9TOxiaQorZF3OTEqDuAWmf12g9JHYz5Z8iDNH3tdTOg/s1600/a+blog+post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLH_pDxqhju5MMm8jWPAd-5a19C-nlg8WTZEsj6aPU4wOqCDp53wXJFuAZKVCsVKjtxGM11XzrfKvPaSGZPRCNjd5KHq6m9TOxiaQorZF3OTEqDuAWmf12g9JHYz5Z8iDNH3tdTOg/s1600/a+blog+post.jpg" height="640" width="596" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beeches Farm Campsite and Devil's Pulpit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhr5GSUXRBPSUeM6PkJeod53urfLAoHAtNfMX2hQnKKpTxp476oB4mQlLdRH0eUWeA_qjFI9ftIlkJ8CF42d58jk7_IfO3lP4j40WccMfrU1OK6srluQNnHUEFD8ixd7snr5t9wPL/s1600/a+blog+post+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhr5GSUXRBPSUeM6PkJeod53urfLAoHAtNfMX2hQnKKpTxp476oB4mQlLdRH0eUWeA_qjFI9ftIlkJ8CF42d58jk7_IfO3lP4j40WccMfrU1OK6srluQNnHUEFD8ixd7snr5t9wPL/s1600/a+blog+post+(1).jpg" height="640" width="484" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">South Wales - A truly spectacular place with mysterious beasts, magical mist and miraculous ale trees.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkreI3r4xB-Na8WNh5aJJfVrA-_0ei47Jn5VUBdMBqjMyiunuSLwIknxYh1T4G-cZJqpI5v_SfogEFms4MKEw3fGsMLtiXCt4yq9CP9KmLAK1ddKHoUbawpfLSMWeoo5hNsRZBcOcJ/s1600/a+blog+post+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkreI3r4xB-Na8WNh5aJJfVrA-_0ei47Jn5VUBdMBqjMyiunuSLwIknxYh1T4G-cZJqpI5v_SfogEFms4MKEw3fGsMLtiXCt4yq9CP9KmLAK1ddKHoUbawpfLSMWeoo5hNsRZBcOcJ/s1600/a+blog+post+(2).jpg" height="640" width="634" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diving and re-homing gnomes at NDAC and fanning the flames with a Scubapro fin to get the BBQ going.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAB69ec4lQXyC67G_ijxu9STiSQVNUccIkTHgUrxRhdutSsriz1JMqUBNTTRM6LiO_y1_jBiMCT04bGMHfWSKXfVVQyyzfId9TlNNwtcL1vKXsd0YHUD63DuM6454VqNxJwXzSZxdr/s1600/a+blog+post+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAB69ec4lQXyC67G_ijxu9STiSQVNUccIkTHgUrxRhdutSsriz1JMqUBNTTRM6LiO_y1_jBiMCT04bGMHfWSKXfVVQyyzfId9TlNNwtcL1vKXsd0YHUD63DuM6454VqNxJwXzSZxdr/s1600/a+blog+post+(3).jpg" height="640" width="446" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark, Santy and Jon at the pier and various vistas from Swanage.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqA0F-nKVCjgbImOP8jN6BW_RS8dDxq6DDgQDdVsr_petAVUDiAjsiZljGW-iYeD3iXheQXrbFEbBExl7saibbvy1hhrxPfxnWoTkSSPUJaund5F_QqqVXaxCjuvLu2vsIMq2Vxsg/s1600/a+blog+post+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqA0F-nKVCjgbImOP8jN6BW_RS8dDxq6DDgQDdVsr_petAVUDiAjsiZljGW-iYeD3iXheQXrbFEbBExl7saibbvy1hhrxPfxnWoTkSSPUJaund5F_QqqVXaxCjuvLu2vsIMq2Vxsg/s1600/a+blog+post+(4).jpg" height="640" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cato our car makes a great dive gear clothes horse, not sure if he agrees.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSr-6cMMLAMiT8fYKNPiYWuCVY6DC5aJKqOAA21xVZTrhnwP4QnYwZLoVALnkTZDGWwMiPMAuMZTsg5qj_bOz25hI7QDzte6LaaGkkuq-pfm3nmMTSVSHoaRkaomxME5wa6QDWgLW/s1600/a+blog+post+(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSr-6cMMLAMiT8fYKNPiYWuCVY6DC5aJKqOAA21xVZTrhnwP4QnYwZLoVALnkTZDGWwMiPMAuMZTsg5qj_bOz25hI7QDzte6LaaGkkuq-pfm3nmMTSVSHoaRkaomxME5wa6QDWgLW/s1600/a+blog+post+(5).jpg" height="640" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We dived two wreck sites, namely <a href="http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?9715" target="_blank">Fleur De Lys</a> a French fishing crabber built in 1969 that sank after an explosion in the engine room back in 2000 and <a href="http://www.britishdiver.co.uk/2012/02/d-day-valentine-tanks-2/" target="_blank">Valentine Tanks</a> that sank in 1942 whilst practicing for the D-Day landings.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRI0TghpG0OfaXwBE5_mrCAWbFizIzHPPlYmIlI2_YMI0rJujPDqoRlUtJLh01Nnt4iUTQ2OkP3IWKz3pmNoT_1TFglg436WYZ64rigyexHKS2BrvfjFr2amoLYW0KSc_caxdPYqn/s1600/a+blog+post+(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRI0TghpG0OfaXwBE5_mrCAWbFizIzHPPlYmIlI2_YMI0rJujPDqoRlUtJLh01Nnt4iUTQ2OkP3IWKz3pmNoT_1TFglg436WYZ64rigyexHKS2BrvfjFr2amoLYW0KSc_caxdPYqn/s1600/a+blog+post+(6).jpg" height="640" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Sunday we dived underneath Swanage Pier and I spotted a Greater Pipefish and almost wet my drysuit with excitement, it was so dainty and cute.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__5Ug0_zGK0jlptJ31nJLyLnKn2XoGIcyvL6QhZZGDbUDeM1axdVK5_8s3oqJCvzUEq4MTWcLIbCm6IHmiW9f1LAo8j_44SsWnllpyWw9P309VR7DHuIp-JT7l1vXhwIEkyDnp8Jj/s1600/a+blog+post+(7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__5Ug0_zGK0jlptJ31nJLyLnKn2XoGIcyvL6QhZZGDbUDeM1axdVK5_8s3oqJCvzUEq4MTWcLIbCm6IHmiW9f1LAo8j_44SsWnllpyWw9P309VR7DHuIp-JT7l1vXhwIEkyDnp8Jj/s1600/a+blog+post+(7).jpg" height="640" width="584" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Monday we made the long and arduous journey back north. The motorway was horrendous in places and it felt like we were standing still for hours, it was like something out of a zombie apocalypse movie, everybody was trying to get the hell out of town and head for the hills it seemed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnzReg8ypFOcjHrX1EGOHT_Nxv6EVnKrVLtHcgGIzwWZcbTUk6vXjdcSSynuc28q6s6qXcgksf3jtoZ2soIWf3Vv3G55z7cMaK71TvhyBejIADYmASox-ZlpFMYtmYuN2QnbdzolQ/s1600/a+blog+post+(8).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnzReg8ypFOcjHrX1EGOHT_Nxv6EVnKrVLtHcgGIzwWZcbTUk6vXjdcSSynuc28q6s6qXcgksf3jtoZ2soIWf3Vv3G55z7cMaK71TvhyBejIADYmASox-ZlpFMYtmYuN2QnbdzolQ/s1600/a+blog+post+(8).jpg" height="640" width="514" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Edinburgh. <br />
The birds are having a grand old time while The Fringe is on with us humans leaving scraps here, there and everywhere.<br />
Some of them were actually quite blas<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 15.600000381469727px; text-align: left;">é</span><b> </b>about me wanting to share my lunch with them.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbOxLqVuLMluDk3tJw4Rv1zuz01gTBKDT32tBJGrC3vUiUvyhuXhfDZ-Jr_mca8Ean6LXZ2VUQWG1bD_nMbKJo63m4n04iG3gKzKUzvqorudi2hBquz6GWvTg86qxANKIFgqpD3hxV/s1600/a+blog+post+(9).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbOxLqVuLMluDk3tJw4Rv1zuz01gTBKDT32tBJGrC3vUiUvyhuXhfDZ-Jr_mca8Ean6LXZ2VUQWG1bD_nMbKJo63m4n04iG3gKzKUzvqorudi2hBquz6GWvTg86qxANKIFgqpD3hxV/s1600/a+blog+post+(9).jpg" height="640" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Free Fun and guerrilla drinking, that's how we roll around these parts.<br />
You may not be allowed to drink in public places in Glasgow but putting traffic cone hats on statues is OK.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
All the photos can also be viewed individually in this <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/frocktasia/sets/72157646355636430/" target="_blank">Summer Holiday</a> Flickr album that I made.<br />
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It is back to work now but I am still on a holiday high, I hope it lingers!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/wUTH-5qCeGQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Hope you are all doing grand folks, have a lovely weekend.</div>
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Much love,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jennie</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
xXx</div>
Frocktasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649180645331805365noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376530029828568772.post-16985574461347179952014-08-05T12:03:00.001+01:002014-08-06T11:04:16.347+01:00Ready, Steady, Glasgow!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Last week was like a wonderful whirlwind.</div>
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Our dear friend Leslie of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Dandy-Lion-Market/165313296862777" target="_blank">The Dandy Lion Market </a>came up from London for a wee break and Mark and I both volunteered at the Commonwealth Games.</div>
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I did two days at the swimming events at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre here in Glasgow and Mark went across to do a day at the diving events held in Edinburgh.</div>
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We managed to cram a whole heap of fun stuff into seven days and enjoy the buzzing vibe of positivity that the streets of Glasgow have been awash with during the eleven days of the games.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLEg2KTzuFx-bnV43h1m_AjcBYQDM1jrnEalw7XTgeA-M0tDZRqRkzsrar0sQYPmPjJ9hg5zYxF2sbi_8Pi2N8WVNyyW7n9lZhkzOpYuktnKq-xpDRWLaaTMO_OwqUhy34fZP89LD/s1600/glas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLEg2KTzuFx-bnV43h1m_AjcBYQDM1jrnEalw7XTgeA-M0tDZRqRkzsrar0sQYPmPjJ9hg5zYxF2sbi_8Pi2N8WVNyyW7n9lZhkzOpYuktnKq-xpDRWLaaTMO_OwqUhy34fZP89LD/s1600/glas.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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I absolutely loved being a part of the games and even if the days were pretty long, starting at 7.30am and finishing off at around eleven at night, we had an absolute blast.</div>
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Here I am with Chris, Tom and Chris outside <a href="http://www.aquatron.co.uk/cgi-bin/web_store.cgi" target="_blank">Aquatron</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilX4-BZ-T7UscyrYotLuP9L1YL-cix1DWa-xxgzM2jcW9ti4lqk-Z-NSh6t81OsDOHVUyMMRLbXT4UFjIgA-aa8bg_UMA-avmZrwUrsf_mcHErgzupvPswsV-0AEZ4W0ulZscVJj8w/s1600/Tollcross+team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilX4-BZ-T7UscyrYotLuP9L1YL-cix1DWa-xxgzM2jcW9ti4lqk-Z-NSh6t81OsDOHVUyMMRLbXT4UFjIgA-aa8bg_UMA-avmZrwUrsf_mcHErgzupvPswsV-0AEZ4W0ulZscVJj8w/s1600/Tollcross+team.jpg" height="416" width="640" /></a></div>
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We all got kitted out in the official games volunteering clobber.</div>
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The events passed without incident so I didn't actually have to don my scuba gear and get in the water.</div>
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One of the judges accidentally dropped a pen in the pool but we were not called upon for that as it was quickly retrieved by a lifeguard.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4hdvkQND9-FdObkNFMM3K6F6b7GtrgOQwJjXUwLWv6UtaOsbAKBE1VZTmpwM7vZk9p1KI7UA0LEM6fK4Mm6CQ0-UTYv9MFZqG5amDbPiJXeDL8oJAQQjWXyi_rZacBMOntOTiour/s1600/qq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4hdvkQND9-FdObkNFMM3K6F6b7GtrgOQwJjXUwLWv6UtaOsbAKBE1VZTmpwM7vZk9p1KI7UA0LEM6fK4Mm6CQ0-UTYv9MFZqG5amDbPiJXeDL8oJAQQjWXyi_rZacBMOntOTiour/s1600/qq.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Australian team were amazing and swam home a motherload of medals.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzEyu7O15qU01F9euMmbK2G0lcGuuh0MHkBHjzTbvmmE_Itqx7EF5EBzu2KJC_cEd3g4V8vbZzM8c1RuzpwNP7ShfuTjLVTLA-c29dsiauHINXCBMzHdUDuD2ckmGXoNUJLw-jedy/s1600/tdtdt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzEyu7O15qU01F9euMmbK2G0lcGuuh0MHkBHjzTbvmmE_Itqx7EF5EBzu2KJC_cEd3g4V8vbZzM8c1RuzpwNP7ShfuTjLVTLA-c29dsiauHINXCBMzHdUDuD2ckmGXoNUJLw-jedy/s1600/tdtdt.jpg" height="306" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sadly there were no Scottish gold medals won on the two days I was there, so I never got to hear <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flower_of_Scotland" target="_blank">Flower of Scotland</a>.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/XiyLuv3GSs4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Personally I prefer this version with Kenneth McKellar...</div>
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<b>Gie it Laldy!</b></div>
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It was billed as The Friendly Games and it truly was.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikL-N5qYARwkouC8PACiH4CUL3fOAlw2EFIn6jDH0gBFvfK2F47YYJbGBHmCBGs4oCS67DeXUT9GC3d5nXoGrZJ0YWbRLtnCXxDdUStAoDyoTHVfFwnPfCDKPBsmnEdZ_BEC4301nq/s1600/swim+medals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikL-N5qYARwkouC8PACiH4CUL3fOAlw2EFIn6jDH0gBFvfK2F47YYJbGBHmCBGs4oCS67DeXUT9GC3d5nXoGrZJ0YWbRLtnCXxDdUStAoDyoTHVfFwnPfCDKPBsmnEdZ_BEC4301nq/s1600/swim+medals.jpg" height="330" width="640" /></a></div>
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I haven't been in a place filled with so much positivity since the last time I went to a rave.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCMZXEGhRDtKZGEthAKTbhsqd4gfx5B7Sa4QTLha0yHxM8YeUwQZb_ViMpdsi5gjx9jjuJqVculgE9uqC0kp-YtYh6ri56vlO8A3KYmuLTIc8ziaNKzoyAiCzWzVH9fQLLyHvww3f/s1600/bfbf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCMZXEGhRDtKZGEthAKTbhsqd4gfx5B7Sa4QTLha0yHxM8YeUwQZb_ViMpdsi5gjx9jjuJqVculgE9uqC0kp-YtYh6ri56vlO8A3KYmuLTIc8ziaNKzoyAiCzWzVH9fQLLyHvww3f/s1600/bfbf.jpg" height="384" width="640" /></a></div>
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I would do it again at the drop of a hat!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96szX3sDlBWSn-NYCi-1Bq_EuOVAHnF_-3TcHgMK7FICJmT7_VbsKbB9I5ZfLoMnhqR-0kqsGQ7He13brJjQolwkmxpebTpzYXW6ZUW2jic8WAB-WNj0ns2mXg-gR2otVVpXXs0tY/s1600/hg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96szX3sDlBWSn-NYCi-1Bq_EuOVAHnF_-3TcHgMK7FICJmT7_VbsKbB9I5ZfLoMnhqR-0kqsGQ7He13brJjQolwkmxpebTpzYXW6ZUW2jic8WAB-WNj0ns2mXg-gR2otVVpXXs0tY/s1600/hg.jpg" height="532" width="640" /></a></div>
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I think it was a perfect time for Leslie to enjoy Glasgow too, even if Mark and I had to work a lot.</div>
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We still managed to have the obligatory drunken night out, visit the <a href="http://www.museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk/member/gallery-of-modern-art" target="_blank">Gallery of Modern Art</a>, a funky <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pam_Hogg" target="_blank">Pam Hogg</a> exhibition/pop-up shop and a wee trip to the seaside.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2zbxNuUKdgay-iCBEM8ugiZsjEb71s7wd3pKUh3TA0VUJrBxitnmxSK_ZCliRP4HYAULm5RjcErCLOxhjP3GYDG3f87dSTdGWATRgEXs8POLqiUVTIFzl4rK8Fi7sH9V1ZcSs-z4/s1600/ydyd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2zbxNuUKdgay-iCBEM8ugiZsjEb71s7wd3pKUh3TA0VUJrBxitnmxSK_ZCliRP4HYAULm5RjcErCLOxhjP3GYDG3f87dSTdGWATRgEXs8POLqiUVTIFzl4rK8Fi7sH9V1ZcSs-z4/s1600/ydyd.jpg" height="530" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leslie and Mark at The Crystal Palace where we also hooked up with some visiting relatives from down south. <br />
Matt & Leslie battled it out with cues at The Solid Rock Cafe.<br />
Leslie with Clyde at Central Station.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAOENGsmWbUeZ8UkKQCrav2lXTxBnAQzVrny1eB0HwUJ18XqTqb4vXTgRMikWo1-Xgn2G2As9IeYloTgNm0xofvSEbrv68PD59dMYDX6tBjGqfR0APhutDgJ3QYM4JSX0nJHi5rrU/s1600/pam+hogg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAOENGsmWbUeZ8UkKQCrav2lXTxBnAQzVrny1eB0HwUJ18XqTqb4vXTgRMikWo1-Xgn2G2As9IeYloTgNm0xofvSEbrv68PD59dMYDX6tBjGqfR0APhutDgJ3QYM4JSX0nJHi5rrU/s1600/pam+hogg.jpg" height="436" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pam Hogg exhibition and pop-up shop.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQbQbKEphNdRTqgw-5CHSAkw4fLOmmD53uw2xeV5OMpuz3Ch6UcJ4TVqn52sGQYebuP_AnwJS7ToAG1i9ZsKLFcoBCY2NqY7ilisuf_LIjVAVChCLtd19ckn28C6-dc0knWhaOrwX/s1600/fun+times.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQbQbKEphNdRTqgw-5CHSAkw4fLOmmD53uw2xeV5OMpuz3Ch6UcJ4TVqn52sGQYebuP_AnwJS7ToAG1i9ZsKLFcoBCY2NqY7ilisuf_LIjVAVChCLtd19ckn28C6-dc0knWhaOrwX/s1600/fun+times.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wee trip to Irvine Beach Park.</td></tr>
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It's all back to business as usual for a few days now before we head off for another adventure.</div>
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This summer has got to go down as one of the best ones in my life so far, I am loving every minute of it!</div>
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I will love you and leave you with an amazing tune that is having me dancing around the house at the moment and lusting for a pair of red jazz trainers...</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ESXgJ9-H-2U?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Hope you are all well peeps.</div>
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Loads of love,</div>
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Jennie</div>
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xXx</div>
Frocktasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649180645331805365noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376530029828568772.post-87955484976554258282014-07-24T10:12:00.001+01:002014-07-24T10:33:21.465+01:00Upon a hill across a blue lake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Bare feet against soft moss, magnificent mountains as far as the eye can see, a light breeze to keep the midgies at bay, that is all it takes to please me. </b></div>
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I really love injecting a little bit of drama and movement into my pictures because I prefer photos that are a bit quirky. I call my favoured posing style 'Jazz Hands' as it often involves some sort of flailing of the arms and hands.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqH4d6IXjp7uxx4EAMMdFcz2Mtw8CaQGU3WIoEFVfgnHP9ZCHplJqVwMK8JwoLBx1e4czjcqmaNy0W7jyUNPTR3lteriLTP0rD-mJoNfCe1tiDdBRJOun9R5VRV7tsK2Bp2QMRpu_r/s1600/glenjeni.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqH4d6IXjp7uxx4EAMMdFcz2Mtw8CaQGU3WIoEFVfgnHP9ZCHplJqVwMK8JwoLBx1e4czjcqmaNy0W7jyUNPTR3lteriLTP0rD-mJoNfCe1tiDdBRJOun9R5VRV7tsK2Bp2QMRpu_r/s1600/glenjeni.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I was given this magnificent book from the early 1900 by my former boss at The Lamb and Flag in Covent Garden. It contains a collection of The Sketch, which was a society magazine with regular features on royalty and the aristocracy, theatre, cinema and art studies. It was in print from 1893 to 1959.</div>
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I love spending a few hours just flicking through its pages, being wowed by the fabulous theatrical get-ups and picking up posing pointers from ladies that had the old Jazz Hands posing nailed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbGt6wZUqupDeO9t8WDC9Fx1PlCqzxDvtvKfBvyurxx8dh-XQ8r1MNR5gCLafexx9kYecRm4khd1HKQMVFl72khtTiz0zEoauCuANBpNINoxrOSuexjfw6poDTdbTJOwb4fRAisY4/s1600/dard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbGt6wZUqupDeO9t8WDC9Fx1PlCqzxDvtvKfBvyurxx8dh-XQ8r1MNR5gCLafexx9kYecRm4khd1HKQMVFl72khtTiz0zEoauCuANBpNINoxrOSuexjfw6poDTdbTJOwb4fRAisY4/s1600/dard.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorNbfIvH6Sd4H5avif-GJVAcPpr5CvFu47EhAdnUZxUm2MNk2Hwh-WHIVSLeodApF7tsyKgW1Vo5gTc_HC5M-d-G-1pDL94B5JrDxbbD0QkmGQBacrdsJtIqJS3U32SN-0Gfaj_73/s1600/sketch5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorNbfIvH6Sd4H5avif-GJVAcPpr5CvFu47EhAdnUZxUm2MNk2Hwh-WHIVSLeodApF7tsyKgW1Vo5gTc_HC5M-d-G-1pDL94B5JrDxbbD0QkmGQBacrdsJtIqJS3U32SN-0Gfaj_73/s1600/sketch5.JPG" height="640" width="516" /></a></div>
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I have been a very busy bee of late, since my last post I have become auntie again and bagged a wee freelance gig selling scuba gear on eBay.</div>
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The Commonwealth Games have rolled into town and little old me is taking part, and before you ask...No, I am not racing against Usain Bolt.</div>
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I am a member of The Aquatic Field of Play Intervention Team and I will be doing a couple of shifts at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre here in Glasgow next week.</div>
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So, you may be wondering what I will be asked to do if called upon, well, well...</div>
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If someone gets into the pool, who should not be there, and the police and security can't persuade them to get out then The Aquatic Field of Play Intervention Team steps in and forcibly removes the person(s) from the water. I really hope that we won't have to step in mainly because it would interrupt the games and ruin the vibe for competitors and spectators alike.</div>
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Sunday was spent in Ballachulish painting mum's living room and doing various little jobs around the house , then we fired back down the road on Monday briefly stopping off in Glen Coe for an impromptu photo session. I always like to bring a wee bag of clobber, accessories and wigs just in case an ideal opportunity presents itself and on Monday it did.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NBtcIcMNXXE1_lf1fUbLlZBsFC9xMl8rdiZE-6CCihnT3Mv7qJcl9hD89_jaFpJKQjNbIM66uVrHLnebODdahDgOzMAfIeEbKdnAUo-lXOhLufOIKgoNZh6j2gA908s6V8RkcDh-/s1600/glenjen5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NBtcIcMNXXE1_lf1fUbLlZBsFC9xMl8rdiZE-6CCihnT3Mv7qJcl9hD89_jaFpJKQjNbIM66uVrHLnebODdahDgOzMAfIeEbKdnAUo-lXOhLufOIKgoNZh6j2gA908s6V8RkcDh-/s1600/glenjen5.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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As it is peak-season now we had an audience of bemused tourists and surprised looking walkers for most of our photo session.</div>
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This spot is just next to the main road and cars and trucks are passing all the time but you would never have guessed it from looking at these photographs. Mark is pretty good at cropping out roads, pesky power lines and walkers sporting day-glo.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiuOj_vfoanPVSXD1FxLBrxwWyDw5wIIyYwH8kgrAutgRVarcDLerb29pTyA2SqzHkez4RnbK8-NVduDOgimg2DznJzgfP8U1-e5x6RwygfCb-BGeGDG8hqlAgW6zTYweFLHFYRICk/s1600/glennjen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiuOj_vfoanPVSXD1FxLBrxwWyDw5wIIyYwH8kgrAutgRVarcDLerb29pTyA2SqzHkez4RnbK8-NVduDOgimg2DznJzgfP8U1-e5x6RwygfCb-BGeGDG8hqlAgW6zTYweFLHFYRICk/s1600/glennjen.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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The frock has been in my collection for well over five years. I haven't worn it before and to be honest when I bought it this was exactly the kind of thing I had in mind for it. I wanted to capture its beauty in some nice pics before letting it go again. I have quite a few frocks with a theatrical vibe and I can't think of a more stunning backdrop for them than the beautiful Highlands.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGpXn_8LlR3JO8xQPWYeQJZrZMumLZTh5m0r1spSxqnqKRCyhcb1TyW4JUR2ub4e0VlZGQNp9BavNhtUJmBd0FHfO2PEzeulOGkF89FDf9spGt4NsHJEhcRxRHQFvdnzffPb5CRnE/s1600/glenjen8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGpXn_8LlR3JO8xQPWYeQJZrZMumLZTh5m0r1spSxqnqKRCyhcb1TyW4JUR2ub4e0VlZGQNp9BavNhtUJmBd0FHfO2PEzeulOGkF89FDf9spGt4NsHJEhcRxRHQFvdnzffPb5CRnE/s1600/glenjen8.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look, no Jazz Hands!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Last year we shot a stunning red velvet frock by <a href="http://frocktasia.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/glen-of-weeping-winds.html" target="_blank">Quad</a> and a spectacular bronze coloured extravaganza by <a href="http://frocktasia.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/priscilla-queen-of-glen.html" target="_blank">Priscilla</a> in the Glen.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAKVkYOtYX-z40YjeXdR8Lm67WNEQGL0O7jkKiltcocwnKOZrIRdH2feCW2ext255Jh5opoYDU-vx9D0Y_AITZozlcDZAjCxJyrCEme5YErfNzP45mn4tJt9g0mRiJ3vSH_LN6Zjj/s1600/glenjen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAKVkYOtYX-z40YjeXdR8Lm67WNEQGL0O7jkKiltcocwnKOZrIRdH2feCW2ext255Jh5opoYDU-vx9D0Y_AITZozlcDZAjCxJyrCEme5YErfNzP45mn4tJt9g0mRiJ3vSH_LN6Zjj/s1600/glenjen.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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This frock is labelled 'California - The Look You Love' and here I am sporting it with a long black wig bought on eBay and a belly-dancing coin belt worn as a headdress that I picked up from a car boot sale in London.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jIGbLIIquAPI4Jpwgl8-KkHHZWXpYp2JxhDiwQBrlxt4ixIVXHpDLlFjzOMD3Qguv99arg9BBRhi8zIkf25KNNRICq_-gdhOgmxintsTjfMohQIAsBgtIXtWDyXow7Eqe6z8x41u/s1600/glenjen2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jIGbLIIquAPI4Jpwgl8-KkHHZWXpYp2JxhDiwQBrlxt4ixIVXHpDLlFjzOMD3Qguv99arg9BBRhi8zIkf25KNNRICq_-gdhOgmxintsTjfMohQIAsBgtIXtWDyXow7Eqe6z8x41u/s1600/glenjen2.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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The picture editing frills were added with <a href="http://www.picmonkey.com/" target="_blank">PicMonkey</a>.</div>
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I hope you are all doing grand folks.<br />
I'll leave you with the banging tune that was blasting through the car speakers as we drove through the Glen, Yeehaw!<br />
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Loads of love,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jennie</div>
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xxx</div>
Frocktasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649180645331805365noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376530029828568772.post-40355684759122792542014-07-01T17:23:00.000+01:002014-07-02T10:45:35.489+01:00Tearing down the coastline in the blazing sunshine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9-Oz2ZUSs0diAUM2N_aYj3VeRZ0l0z717NjR7WUYnHXVGB4UAaP8Q-aoHojNoy67UZtR285xcVuij6urYPutYK7zI9ArhGlRYyUF99E4kxm8O4bgsbgmMCYZXKd2bOTpcDp1CPgS/s1600/front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9-Oz2ZUSs0diAUM2N_aYj3VeRZ0l0z717NjR7WUYnHXVGB4UAaP8Q-aoHojNoy67UZtR285xcVuij6urYPutYK7zI9ArhGlRYyUF99E4kxm8O4bgsbgmMCYZXKd2bOTpcDp1CPgS/s1600/front.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Last Sunday Mark and I loaded the car up with camping and snorkeling gear and headed out for a wee adventure. </div>
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We followed the Firth of Clyde coastline to the south of Irvine (<a href="http://frocktasia.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/frocktasia-has-got-wheels.html" target="_blank">where we spent a lovely day on the beach last month</a>) and made several little stops on the way.</div>
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We frolicked around in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troon" target="_blank">Troon</a>, photographed swooping gulls in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayr" target="_blank">Ayr </a>and stopped off to explore lovely <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunure" target="_blank">Dunure</a>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvArWtKrj0hkfv9XRh2foiiiflOEx5WpJ5CXicbF6DnpLvqi8RP8S9LT-BNjia1QHf8PLot_Z1c8lJ60GtVQGdLOx_8LjrWjNjhPVC1CWuIQct3fYRA77vnNpbdoz6uHrMJ8N0msV/s1600/gulls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvArWtKrj0hkfv9XRh2foiiiflOEx5WpJ5CXicbF6DnpLvqi8RP8S9LT-BNjia1QHf8PLot_Z1c8lJ60GtVQGdLOx_8LjrWjNjhPVC1CWuIQct3fYRA77vnNpbdoz6uHrMJ8N0msV/s1600/gulls.jpg" height="484" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gulls take to the air in Ayr.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeI7jhIQV8lxHBlDrsE-P0phOFely8_58NpiTtLD74qAZ3hl-5VNHKIRnhhhcLjNdBDrugZSEplQEdiu5jLmpoPLWEZSJ0WAVw6mY7k5DUw_1HJf5selyYLlHUqNE8fQ8FFSwdzZ_V/s1600/jenayr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeI7jhIQV8lxHBlDrsE-P0phOFely8_58NpiTtLD74qAZ3hl-5VNHKIRnhhhcLjNdBDrugZSEplQEdiu5jLmpoPLWEZSJ0WAVw6mY7k5DUw_1HJf5selyYLlHUqNE8fQ8FFSwdzZ_V/s1600/jenayr.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jennie almost takes to the air in Ayr. <br />
I was jumping around like a super excited kid all day.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnv1_RD92TKcyEY2upf-piaA5rBwkxY6819bLvKEldgazpmv2Uof-nj7CoBF3AxB91ZH4zl16PUz6u3Kes4HaQw_Z_CAWOgz_dyHPK9Fot9JAdOYep-ve6wOq3WmfaxNEcgoM6X_e/s1600/denureinn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnv1_RD92TKcyEY2upf-piaA5rBwkxY6819bLvKEldgazpmv2Uof-nj7CoBF3AxB91ZH4zl16PUz6u3Kes4HaQw_Z_CAWOgz_dyHPK9Fot9JAdOYep-ve6wOq3WmfaxNEcgoM6X_e/s1600/denureinn.jpg" height="640" width="414" /></a></div>
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Dunure was really lovely.<br />
Set in a breathtakingly beautiful part of the coastline, its got a cracking castle ruin that you can have a wee wander around for free.</div>
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The weather was awesome too, which is always a big bonus.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WQilt3hlQGbW-EABk1aWBkZQI6nMkmC3b9e0YbnB6f58CGMKwQtq0jRdoCKnBdkZ7zPbQMSweqtnKScrwGTTCnClUY0EtH2rN5Ww583DcCeD6eE8eppcMbVEvr-bD2Fkdgfu8dOx/s1600/coll6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WQilt3hlQGbW-EABk1aWBkZQI6nMkmC3b9e0YbnB6f58CGMKwQtq0jRdoCKnBdkZ7zPbQMSweqtnKScrwGTTCnClUY0EtH2rN5Ww583DcCeD6eE8eppcMbVEvr-bD2Fkdgfu8dOx/s1600/coll6.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were some beautiful pigeons making their home in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dovecote" target="_blank">doocot</a> next to the castle ruin.</td></tr>
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After chilling in the glorious sunshine with flask of coffee we made tracks in search of somewhere to pitch our tent for the night. Although we bought the tent two years ago this was its first time out of the bag.</div>
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A bit further along the coast we found the <a href="http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/campsites/uk/ayrshire/maybole/culzeancastle?_$ja=cgid:8130990140|tsid:60648|cid:96123860|nw:g|crid:47936562860|rnd:7862720213579743802|dvc:c|adp:1t1|kw:culzean%20castle%20campsite|mt:e|pm:&gclid=CPzw0r-xpL8CFUTItAod90kAbw" target="_blank">Culzean Castle Campsite</a>.<br />
At just £15.95 per night we both agreed that the stunning views across the Firth of Clyde to the islands of Arran and the Mull of Kintyre was worth that alone.</div>
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After the tent was up we headed down to the shoreline to watch the sunset armed with a couple of bottles of ale. We had hoped for a quick evening dip but the tide was out so we had to settle for a paddle instead.</div>
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Thankfully the midgies weren't too bad and we were treated to a spectacular sunset in the company of herons and oyster catchers.</div>
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I woke up at 4am bright as a button and considered making a cheeky crop-circle in the field in front but settled for a nice cup of tea and a bit of cloud spotting instead.</div>
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After breakfast and a lovely warm shower, we packed up the tent and headed back up the coast to Dunure to do some snorkeling.</div>
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The tide was coming back in and it was slightly colder in the water than the day before but we still managed to stay in for about half an hour. </div>
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The kelp was amazing, huge clusters of long swaying tendrils with lots of crabs and little fish hiding among them.</div>
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We chilled on the beach for a bit and then headed back home.</div>
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A lovely 24 hour getaway :)<br />
I am chuffed to bits that all of this AWESOMENESS can be found almost on my doorstep.</div>
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This was the soundtrack as we tore around the coastline in Cato...</div>
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Hope you are all doing grand peeps and that the sun is shining where you are.</div>
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Loads of love,</div>
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Jennie</div>
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xXx<br />
<br />
PS. You can have a wee peek at the pics above plus some more of the trip over on <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/frocktasia/sets/72157645047600017/" target="_blank">Flickr</a>.</div>
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Frocktasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649180645331805365noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376530029828568772.post-40147687819990823982014-06-17T12:30:00.001+01:002014-06-19T23:45:25.895+01:00Happy is what we are when we're together<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We've had some cracking summer weather here the past few days and as luck would have it Mark had two days off in a row, yay!</div>
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After he finished work on Saturday we bundled all our dive gear, along with four borrowed tanks and weights courtesy of awesome <a href="http://www.aquatron.co.uk/cgi-bin/web_store.cgi" target="_blank">Aquatron</a>, into the car and headed north to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballachulish" target="_blank">Ballachulish</a>.</div>
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We stayed the night with mum and on Sunday morning we did our first ever completely solo buddy-team dive in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loch_Leven_(Highlands)" target="_blank">Loch Leven</a>.</div>
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There are two popular dive sites within a stone's throw of mum's house, the one that we went to <a href="http://frocktasia.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/my-awesome-april.html" target="_blank">with Ben</a> a while back called <a href="http://www.finstrokes.com/shore-dive/124-manse-point.html" target="_blank">Manse Point</a> and another one that is even closer to the village called <a href="http://www.finstrokes.com/shore-dive/12-the-slates.html" target="_blank">The Slates</a>.</div>
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Unfortunately Mark had forgotten to charge his GoPro camera so we've got no pics or film of what we saw under the surface which was a shame cause the visibility was really rather splendid on the day.</div>
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We did two dives of about 40 minutes each, the maximum depth that we went to was 20 meters and the dive highlights were spotting a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_ling" target="_blank">Ling </a> and having a close encounter (thankfully not too close) with a large <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion's_mane_jellyfish" target="_blank">Lion's Mane Jellyfish</a>. The water temperature was a cool 10<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">°C</span> but I kept fairly warm in my <a href="http://www.aquatron.co.uk/cgi-bin/web_store.cgi?product=Undersuits-Scubapro&cart_id=7945734_27622" target="_blank">Scubapro Climatec Undersuit</a> & <a href="http://www.aquatron.co.uk/cgi-bin/web_store.cgi?product=Drysuits-Scubapro&cart_id=7945734_27622" target="_blank">Everdry 4 Drysuit</a> combo.</div>
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On Sunday evening we drove back to Glasgow and celebrated our <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy_diving" target="_blank">buddy team</a> milestone by cracking open a few bottles of choice ale, awesome!</div>
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When we woke up on Monday morning the sun was blazing though the window and although I had planned to spend the day indoors taking photos for the Etsy shop, it would have been a sin to miss out on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year.</div>
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So Mark and I decided to grab our snorkeling gear and head to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wemyss_Bay" target="_blank">Wemyss Bay</a> for a day by the coast.</div>
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Here's Mark all wetsuited and booted running into the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firth_of_Clyde" target="_blank">Firth of Clyde</a>...</div>
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It would have been too cold to go snorkeling for any length of time without wearing a wetsuit but with a protective layer of neoprene we could stay in the water for a good twenty minutes. The water was crystal clear so the visibility was amazing. We spotted lots of crabs and really small jellyfish but I spent most of the time looking for unusual pebbles for my collection.</div>
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Here are a few snaps of our lovely day at Wemyss Bay...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQc9FpExKcBsWY5b3f4GTgYwSNNRoFsNtuWE8Q_8I1ryvFooZS7bDU-G18Gvf2-xo9l9Q1Wo6auDYCjMUKrLgkdAG0i_fSiD3V_ut3nKQ1mYbWDTQiugVu9UOaaqjPQt1gpfEUy_0/s1600/twt.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQc9FpExKcBsWY5b3f4GTgYwSNNRoFsNtuWE8Q_8I1ryvFooZS7bDU-G18Gvf2-xo9l9Q1Wo6auDYCjMUKrLgkdAG0i_fSiD3V_ut3nKQ1mYbWDTQiugVu9UOaaqjPQt1gpfEUy_0/s1600/twt.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDm9hjDKbIz8hAeUDuYcpOwgvDhm6hQyvvaOWKWADYGp0pexYyZtsSoLOqkaMmIswVsrmUi-yR7tECioZbcdnm3iGPzdylvEs80KI-vsmvcb3VYQT9jcYwbXovsJnbio-jUOi_0fLc/s1600/ui.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDm9hjDKbIz8hAeUDuYcpOwgvDhm6hQyvvaOWKWADYGp0pexYyZtsSoLOqkaMmIswVsrmUi-yR7tECioZbcdnm3iGPzdylvEs80KI-vsmvcb3VYQT9jcYwbXovsJnbio-jUOi_0fLc/s1600/ui.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVX5cE8c4OL8k4uZHJpUn6ZpDno5EAP9wzDx9dOhkyFP5TZhCMHVyMdQye6MojKfYNPRi_jBgW5VpPCf1Pkl7RtFGxpNVlWPxOEomR2OzdI2HAw6lSxPJ4PKGHtZZs1gXLv0BSzPj0/s1600/vwebnhjqefhjw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVX5cE8c4OL8k4uZHJpUn6ZpDno5EAP9wzDx9dOhkyFP5TZhCMHVyMdQye6MojKfYNPRi_jBgW5VpPCf1Pkl7RtFGxpNVlWPxOEomR2OzdI2HAw6lSxPJ4PKGHtZZs1gXLv0BSzPj0/s1600/vwebnhjqefhjw.jpg" height="640" width="440" /></a></div>
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We only took a couple of pics at The Slates on Sunday as our minds were pretty preoccupied with getting everything just right..."planning the dive and diving the plan".</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30C2rH3PRqv2QiluJQGG-U3GjBPv29QFXolr0p2fCosO_lxD6NCRjcRcFGg5jSLuz1lc4riSvQGdqZOp9kd39LO6NytaIC_6i6-p2R6vvLsXWiHXAHEWhM5Hmrr4_CKsAcUu0p27h/s1600/fqwe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30C2rH3PRqv2QiluJQGG-U3GjBPv29QFXolr0p2fCosO_lxD6NCRjcRcFGg5jSLuz1lc4riSvQGdqZOp9kd39LO6NytaIC_6i6-p2R6vvLsXWiHXAHEWhM5Hmrr4_CKsAcUu0p27h/s1600/fqwe.jpg" height="640" width="432" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dive site name is spot on. Here I am rocking my fleecy thermal onesie or Monkey Man Suit as I like to call it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKekDq3pWFA19Oi08zpxmdrbVkEGDueklQLULGnnhTXDuUThIXl9tQKCU4rx6m2IHPJL3CbQq1NYu7ax6KWYmmhsU4c2RoSIQIPt0U2otPfGuhmJ2q4Gqszit3TnGf4PwrkukVkMM0/s1600/tetet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKekDq3pWFA19Oi08zpxmdrbVkEGDueklQLULGnnhTXDuUThIXl9tQKCU4rx6m2IHPJL3CbQq1NYu7ax6KWYmmhsU4c2RoSIQIPt0U2otPfGuhmJ2q4Gqszit3TnGf4PwrkukVkMM0/s1600/tetet.jpg" height="640" width="506" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A well deserved cuppa in-between dives.</td></tr>
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So that was the tale of our two days of diving and snorkeling fun.</div>
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This is the lifestyle Mark and I have been longing for and I can't begin to explain how happy I feel that we finally got our procrastinating act together and made the move up north. I feel tremendously blessed that everything has turned out so good and that we've managed to hook up with such awesome & kindhearted people.</div>
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Don't get me wrong, we had a really nice life & lovely friends down in London too but financially we were always chasing our tails. Even if Mark was earning twice as much as he is here in Glasgow we were still always teetering on the brink of being completely broke.</div>
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Although the move has not put us in a better place financially at least we are much happier and we get to do loads of fun stuff, which to me is more important than a bulging bank balance anyway.</div>
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Last month we were sent a lovely surprise parcel from our friends Kaori, Adam and their cute as a button daughter Maya in Japan. It contained (among other things) two beautiful kimonos and obi belts.</div>
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We have been awaiting an opportunity to take some photos of them and on the way up the road last Saturday evening that opportunity presented itself.</div>
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We wanted a dramatic backdrop to do these truly stunning garments justice and it doesn't get much more dramatic than the spectacular <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buachaille_Etive_M%C3%B2r" target="_blank">Buachaille Etive Mor</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmwfJ11emCdK0vKszuZffmrmTLt0tcmvAAwOKRsPxroQO4OpbRmzmMf6uZPG22xB_7H0kD21f_jztiGI6u-K6Q9jlWRzjw0VLydBElTxt0UZCCK5HQn55HfG4Z-g_X1PeSv2c7sxn/s1600/ba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmwfJ11emCdK0vKszuZffmrmTLt0tcmvAAwOKRsPxroQO4OpbRmzmMf6uZPG22xB_7H0kD21f_jztiGI6u-K6Q9jlWRzjw0VLydBElTxt0UZCCK5HQn55HfG4Z-g_X1PeSv2c7sxn/s1600/ba.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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It was Mark that choose this spot. I think it's quite <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hokusai" target="_blank">Hokusai</a>-esque.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwB4pc1fMODHG-dTn_Nqgd1USxC98gEYw-suS7dNnpIV0oOLEjLVkIipeYd3MEyzA1kI8rgtuZgph-6gPMylRH_zwZw1b6PFgRz6kOn8LVp5iwoW6OnmvChNtJkQIXy89v-Lw9Hyye/s1600/1024px-Inume_pass_in_the_Kai_province.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwB4pc1fMODHG-dTn_Nqgd1USxC98gEYw-suS7dNnpIV0oOLEjLVkIipeYd3MEyzA1kI8rgtuZgph-6gPMylRH_zwZw1b6PFgRz6kOn8LVp5iwoW6OnmvChNtJkQIXy89v-Lw9Hyye/s1600/1024px-Inume_pass_in_the_Kai_province.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBhcghMCejmBi4QtTlkAgwJjpTcRfnxpo_sSKDje_tjjS-OuX96wbDFq5HlZfxiuOaL08ki8xdBAnfKGIIvIcV9nSaQvhl6ZttiRmWKN3lcNN86OpbnLW0lPdYnSdKjxnDb9BIdDA/s1600/rew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBhcghMCejmBi4QtTlkAgwJjpTcRfnxpo_sSKDje_tjjS-OuX96wbDFq5HlZfxiuOaL08ki8xdBAnfKGIIvIcV9nSaQvhl6ZttiRmWKN3lcNN86OpbnLW0lPdYnSdKjxnDb9BIdDA/s1600/rew.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Mark snapped a few solo sans wig ones of me but <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highland_midge" target="_blank">the midgies</a> were out in force so it had to be a guerrilla style photo session. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBCEUVHlKjxiJqBH5Tlr7djGgfJcC4YjGf2fXn_igB7X0DprnYe2Tbv4amVBroyYir06UT_vpTUHQ_mgtOU29D4EBYerAjWW0Br4oJWc_2awdFOCp59HJFc1kes0YKbsqcJJ4q1kr/s1600/tetwe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBCEUVHlKjxiJqBH5Tlr7djGgfJcC4YjGf2fXn_igB7X0DprnYe2Tbv4amVBroyYir06UT_vpTUHQ_mgtOU29D4EBYerAjWW0Br4oJWc_2awdFOCp59HJFc1kes0YKbsqcJJ4q1kr/s1600/tetwe.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I had some fun with <a href="http://www.picmonkey.com/" target="_blank">PicMonkey</a> this morning :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGCw66XKLlmEBrCEeE0QjHeBn7X8vINLXTutrkiKPVclNk1HVtVQ-PUrTFvcRmbyg4UDgZI6ZGAWysHMwy2fJbhZmbVNjBqsxWKvdWmpnYeQgrWJYMQtOohoHjn_1-HlOI8BKRm8K/s1600/wg21gywt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGCw66XKLlmEBrCEeE0QjHeBn7X8vINLXTutrkiKPVclNk1HVtVQ-PUrTFvcRmbyg4UDgZI6ZGAWysHMwy2fJbhZmbVNjBqsxWKvdWmpnYeQgrWJYMQtOohoHjn_1-HlOI8BKRm8K/s1600/wg21gywt.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'll leave you with a cheesetastico tune from the 90s, enjoy ;)</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/pXB13W1v0Zw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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May this blog post find you happy & healthy.</div>
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loads of love,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jennie</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
xXx<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/2694229/?claim=vtue88wzdac">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a></div>
Frocktasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649180645331805365noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376530029828568772.post-74793302943754633462014-06-12T15:11:00.000+01:002014-06-12T15:15:32.033+01:00Swede sixteen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1g-au0-PTvEbT78RCd0fF3E4CkUCn2VvQtPGu80e1y3FueeOgqPMv-PqMdSVZCBxYn2ad0TT7GkxTe8fgLNwDb4IV5gKk85nUOqSTANEKGDm3WgyNdt2r54bQ_v4XGfYsJHNc10O/s1600/ruuur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1g-au0-PTvEbT78RCd0fF3E4CkUCn2VvQtPGu80e1y3FueeOgqPMv-PqMdSVZCBxYn2ad0TT7GkxTe8fgLNwDb4IV5gKk85nUOqSTANEKGDm3WgyNdt2r54bQ_v4XGfYsJHNc10O/s1600/ruuur.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
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Life has a habit of motoring along and before you know it another decade is reflected the rearview mirror.</div>
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Sixteen years have passed since the whole family last managed to get together, which is far too long!</div>
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We are a somewhat scattered brood and that makes it a little bit more difficult to organize a reunion but earlier this year my beloved mother decided that the time had come for us all to gather once more and a date was set.</div>
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We had a tremendously fun and fabulous weekend. Three wonderful days packed with laughter, yummy food and amazing Swedish summer weather...PERFECT!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3mXt0jOUB56yMLvMY0E1oP04kU282iezUEMjwMTGJ5CYvOD-L0qTjnkQBo6t6VTU6PXJGN5Ej9GUrH22twptpgA5TlHHOkSbJSR9kzjwVcCg9u9F6LGVhsGrml1uXbkzegpdxOvi/s1600/fam14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3mXt0jOUB56yMLvMY0E1oP04kU282iezUEMjwMTGJ5CYvOD-L0qTjnkQBo6t6VTU6PXJGN5Ej9GUrH22twptpgA5TlHHOkSbJSR9kzjwVcCg9u9F6LGVhsGrml1uXbkzegpdxOvi/s1600/fam14.jpg" height="450" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top left: Dennis (my niece Annelie's boyfriend), Emma (my little brother David's girlfriend), Johnny & David (my brothers), hubby Mark, Per (my brother), Jes (my sister Jessica's husband) & Me<br />
Middle left: Astrid (Jessica & Jes' daughter), Ewa (my wonderful mum), Benjamin (Jessica & Jes' son), Jane (my brother Per's girlfriend<br />
Bottom left: Gunnar (my awesome dad), Jessica & Marie (my sisters) and Annelie (my sister Marie's daughter).<br />
Also featured in the picture Tintin the dog.</td></tr>
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The weekend in pics...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4R7UuxddsHMApdC8YZwFQjxBT1geANZDIrZ0Xn4KtqxPxflcLjhi4YbSqHLgujAXl7lBktE67NnMH0ErHFbWbUyvm5w_sVSk08lpg27dTP2so2iIbuF9qgmPSY4U0oImK1SqWZF_/s1600/to.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4R7UuxddsHMApdC8YZwFQjxBT1geANZDIrZ0Xn4KtqxPxflcLjhi4YbSqHLgujAXl7lBktE67NnMH0ErHFbWbUyvm5w_sVSk08lpg27dTP2so2iIbuF9qgmPSY4U0oImK1SqWZF_/s1600/to.jpg" height="640" width="562" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iukEpdGHYugYfG129GWjlp7cOTNpORhEdCeEsWnPmFS2NS_5P9VdIya_6Ytv8z1wgpy3BinLZ67ofBHaZLJPPoBTbgkGmlQi9gOrB4v_pIlsYlddscmEX0N-wSLFum3EjLp4YHF6/s1600/yue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iukEpdGHYugYfG129GWjlp7cOTNpORhEdCeEsWnPmFS2NS_5P9VdIya_6Ytv8z1wgpy3BinLZ67ofBHaZLJPPoBTbgkGmlQi9gOrB4v_pIlsYlddscmEX0N-wSLFum3EjLp4YHF6/s1600/yue.jpg" height="640" width="368" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pYo9iukDG6yGj1HxVX49BbAwWpNUZkLKx_8-J4S_rJoQEtkhPQoREVoYAHOeE7TZ0URaY02vT6w4BloVk8_rSCdRP5Im8WUHGnG81EAyqo7fzFy9DaAO_s1dxnFq3kh6xfj-G7kQ/s1600/erytre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pYo9iukDG6yGj1HxVX49BbAwWpNUZkLKx_8-J4S_rJoQEtkhPQoREVoYAHOeE7TZ0URaY02vT6w4BloVk8_rSCdRP5Im8WUHGnG81EAyqo7fzFy9DaAO_s1dxnFq3kh6xfj-G7kQ/s1600/erytre.jpg" height="640" width="488" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiT_JyMZ26sIQDX9DYZ4W6SYfVlpUzVvgZ4YHhdsSDHygvApZ_SA1gE7pB6EORjF40x6kf5dctKnTeE7GFsoqYYyr5XIA6YrLo47dzsmR40ViGI4GvzIrcgqNUt-_r5AIP9qCUzDd/s1600/yryr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiT_JyMZ26sIQDX9DYZ4W6SYfVlpUzVvgZ4YHhdsSDHygvApZ_SA1gE7pB6EORjF40x6kf5dctKnTeE7GFsoqYYyr5XIA6YrLo47dzsmR40ViGI4GvzIrcgqNUt-_r5AIP9qCUzDd/s1600/yryr.jpg" height="640" width="448" /></a></div>
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On Monday afternoon Mark and I took a train up to Stockholm and strolled around in <a href="http://www.visitstockholm.com/en/See--do/Attractions/Gamla-stan/" target="_blank">Gamla Stan</a> for a few hours.</div>
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On Tuesday morning we left the clear blue sky behind us and flew back to a cloudy Glasgow. </div>
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I wish I could have scooped up the glorious Swedish summer weather and brought it back home with me.</div>
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We had such a lovely time and a unanimous decision was made to get everyone back together again for my niece's graduation next year, can't wait!</div>
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I love my bonkers family :)</div>
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I will leave you with a beautiful song by<a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/sweetlaredo" target="_blank"> Sweet Laredo</a>...</div>
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Hope you are all doing grand and that the sun is shining where you are.</div>
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Thanks for your lovely comments on my last post, they are much appreciated.</div>
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Loads of love,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jennie</div>
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xXx</div>
Frocktasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649180645331805365noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376530029828568772.post-14233803279584438172014-05-29T13:43:00.000+01:002014-05-29T14:04:29.038+01:00Frocktasia has got wheels!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYw97zlA_7nZw335LvQTW9OaC29468QJHTEegabmzmTosMF0Mtkt1jDATBImfGN4d9QWxDFoXipCnG9btys5wZBsa-Pecq5JZjkNZX7f7ma1-0rW2olJAoHUkVs8PrcAM8P-tQmfLB/s1600/aaa+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYw97zlA_7nZw335LvQTW9OaC29468QJHTEegabmzmTosMF0Mtkt1jDATBImfGN4d9QWxDFoXipCnG9btys5wZBsa-Pecq5JZjkNZX7f7ma1-0rW2olJAoHUkVs8PrcAM8P-tQmfLB/s1600/aaa+(1).jpg" height="454" width="640" /></a></div>
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Last Monday Mark and I bought our first ever car, an 11 year old Vauxhall Astra that we named Cato after Cato Wong in the Pink Panther movies.</div>
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It's an old banger that will see its life out with us going to dive sites and markets. </div>
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Hopefully with a bit of luck and TLC it will serve us well for a year or two.</div>
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Yesterday we took Cato for a spin along the beautiful <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firth_of_Clyde" target="_blank">Firth of Clyde </a>coastline and when the sun decided to make an unexpected appearance we stopped off for a little picnic on <a href="http://www.visitscotland.com/info/towns-villages/irvine-beach-p727381" target="_blank">Irvine Beach</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXLkUThetxoaIWG0-ot_-txpiBvQo4HgWnG4WGB0Z5uADmkFtVCevej5LXURs30oiwpZnNa8t_c86RoTw1x0kovRULwJ0s51pYRm9FbE9O77XVHGEGaL1FCW45Uh-eLIZFP490hZH/s1600/aaa+%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXLkUThetxoaIWG0-ot_-txpiBvQo4HgWnG4WGB0Z5uADmkFtVCevej5LXURs30oiwpZnNa8t_c86RoTw1x0kovRULwJ0s51pYRm9FbE9O77XVHGEGaL1FCW45Uh-eLIZFP490hZH/s1600/aaa+%25287%2529.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
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We sat on the beach watching adult gulls dive bombing for fish and baby gulls perfecting their flying skills.</div>
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Unlike when we went to <a href="http://frocktasia.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/costa-del-cloud.html" target="_blank">Largs back in January</a> the gulls on Irvine Beach were totally uninterested in sharing our lunch, they were just surfing around in the sea breeze, having fun.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssyKQwI7ybGnOMvatXDVdRe63a1oW3Xhdj-MaiLMoxXY7dFLtt5veCN2X9CYxWS3P0Dfcb2IdVtEiBOYxbXZT_C9z3FmTbnGZ4iLQBjUL3VWFna0hX8cKmmF5X6i_cnAdn9nnn049/s1600/aaa+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssyKQwI7ybGnOMvatXDVdRe63a1oW3Xhdj-MaiLMoxXY7dFLtt5veCN2X9CYxWS3P0Dfcb2IdVtEiBOYxbXZT_C9z3FmTbnGZ4iLQBjUL3VWFna0hX8cKmmF5X6i_cnAdn9nnn049/s1600/aaa+%25286%2529.jpg" height="408" width="640" /></a></div>
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Besides gulls, we only shared the beach with a handful of dog walkers and a dude with a metal detector.</div>
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Next time we go I'm definitely bringing my swimming costume. I'm Swedish so I am used to water temperatures akin to an ice plunge pool, <a href="http://thenextchallenge.org/cold-water-swimming/" target="_blank">it's good for you</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhXN2W2pEZK9bfM8PSJEiw8mjLEKZI2zJY5NNVwkxfgH8jNFY4j1M1QKgA-RWcSBBQPkrPQRIWWgl2RUEWbwty0hOOumj-JKQjm6nSi7lhpXl35S9GgBkGetAbCYTqtkL-aDp4Ycr/s1600/aaa+%252811%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhXN2W2pEZK9bfM8PSJEiw8mjLEKZI2zJY5NNVwkxfgH8jNFY4j1M1QKgA-RWcSBBQPkrPQRIWWgl2RUEWbwty0hOOumj-JKQjm6nSi7lhpXl35S9GgBkGetAbCYTqtkL-aDp4Ycr/s1600/aaa+%252811%2529.jpg" height="640" width="454" /></a></div>
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During lunch we talked about one of the things on our bucket list, namely <a href="http://en.egypt.travel/attraction/index/sand-boarding-in-the-great-sand-sea" target="_blank">sand boarding in Egypt</a>. </div>
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Many moons ago Mark was a professional snowboard instructor so surfing on sand should be easy enough for him. However despite me growing up with regular winter sports days at school, I never quite found my ski legs. I was more into ice hockey & curling.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_TuPmDrjz3HTTSOw3tx7rEjSoQdCF-lZyf-M6IpXg74vc7KkmxXWExaAi4oDSJJRJNHuf5uuuhtQGGyTTIp0KUK3JWK8n5WiBKuDlb9EYoVyQMMQGNFR7vLt8fdoPglnaDwtwpUw/s1600/aaa+%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_TuPmDrjz3HTTSOw3tx7rEjSoQdCF-lZyf-M6IpXg74vc7KkmxXWExaAi4oDSJJRJNHuf5uuuhtQGGyTTIp0KUK3JWK8n5WiBKuDlb9EYoVyQMMQGNFR7vLt8fdoPglnaDwtwpUw/s1600/aaa+%25288%2529.jpg" height="566" width="640" /></a></div>
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To tick the sand boarding off the bucket list would require a pocket full of pennies but you can always find fun stuff to do for free or on the cheap while you save up for the big amazing adventures.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKHrzKQdavCMqwaPJSV2NQQhJEvji_yT-NTKLbg-5WYDzcrY1hgfWjCflmnMkVlqeo7XsNyu7Dh-Z8Dxov1040lgdxifKN5v8wrat9FUr8tlWHmUQNMPaX9DnHtIrH3OJLt6LK_Uf/s1600/aaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKHrzKQdavCMqwaPJSV2NQQhJEvji_yT-NTKLbg-5WYDzcrY1hgfWjCflmnMkVlqeo7XsNyu7Dh-Z8Dxov1040lgdxifKN5v8wrat9FUr8tlWHmUQNMPaX9DnHtIrH3OJLt6LK_Uf/s1600/aaa.jpg" height="640" width="502" /></a></div>
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Free fun is the name of the game and the gulls are masters at it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4ik1eprOcDIf5CjjeF9hlYtwgB3csPSqaO3bKXwE2EU-q5MGtPg0HziZiqbNSkNXfvXXqYyDEE0bWTMJELE8tTwUKQH65h0jvjt7E9Byx_mvfH5SH7QkOEbx9vqeH2uu7zAMrEw3/s1600/aaa+%252810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4ik1eprOcDIf5CjjeF9hlYtwgB3csPSqaO3bKXwE2EU-q5MGtPg0HziZiqbNSkNXfvXXqYyDEE0bWTMJELE8tTwUKQH65h0jvjt7E9Byx_mvfH5SH7QkOEbx9vqeH2uu7zAMrEw3/s1600/aaa+%252810%2529.jpg" height="454" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm on a mission to have as much free fun this summer as I possibly can.</div>
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We didn't have any money when we were kids and we still managed to have more fun than you can shake a stick at, so it can be done! </div>
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Tigger jumping off the dunes = free fun</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguutlWn-Zk37DMfDiP6MUUtnJy8sDTUEwOwztswRTeIKHvJtWHjSHACigQIBTHunGzkWUb9N4Sw52fPs7IVYG8MeERBqXV7q_bIH9tiOtcChIJGg5C7BhZsNjTqrxVlWcJqJNYf3IG/s1600/aaa+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguutlWn-Zk37DMfDiP6MUUtnJy8sDTUEwOwztswRTeIKHvJtWHjSHACigQIBTHunGzkWUb9N4Sw52fPs7IVYG8MeERBqXV7q_bIH9tiOtcChIJGg5C7BhZsNjTqrxVlWcJqJNYf3IG/s1600/aaa+%25282%2529.jpg" height="640" width="454" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What I wore: 60s psychedelic maxi dress, 60s suede waistcoat, 70s suede jacket, suede pixie boots, African mask necklace, retro sunnies & <a href="http://www.hellothemushroom.com/" target="_blank">Hello The Mushroom</a> tote bag. <a href="http://frocktasia.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/lost-and-found.html" target="_blank">This is a fave combo of mine</a>.</td></tr>
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We enjoyed a lovely few hours on Irvine Beach and we will definitely visit again soon.</div>
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If you are in Glasgow you can get there by car in about 45 minutes, the train will take about 40 minutes from Central Station and costs £8 for an off-peak day return.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTlQh24ICYND5MdrwcrNbmPeA-xoLJs5xkTtlggJsB01iH_D2xpIdEyMMebDVFcJPjAf999hevXrxpyAI6tI9pr4sPkv5cOr-4a-RiCu0s0-igsn-GZwyJz1nXWwfj72aIhP9w5ak/s1600/aaa+%25289%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTlQh24ICYND5MdrwcrNbmPeA-xoLJs5xkTtlggJsB01iH_D2xpIdEyMMebDVFcJPjAf999hevXrxpyAI6tI9pr4sPkv5cOr-4a-RiCu0s0-igsn-GZwyJz1nXWwfj72aIhP9w5ak/s1600/aaa+%25289%2529.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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I have been playing rather a lot these past few weeks and because of this my selling endeavors have suffered somewhat. </div>
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So today I will mostly be found glued to the computer, listing fabulous frocks in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/FROCKTASIA" target="_blank">Etsy store</a>.</div>
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A huge big THANK YOU to <a href="http://full-brief-panties.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Panty Buns</a>, <a href="http://vintagevixon.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Vix</a>, <a href="http://conniesnow.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Connie</a>, <a href="http://www.underemployedistheneworganic.com/" target="_blank">Underemployed Is the New Organic</a>, <a href="http://thornegarnet.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Kathy</a>, <a href="http://pinkcheetahvintage.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Becky</a> & <a href="http://sopastcaring.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Curtise</a> for commenting on my last blog offering and of course to all you lovelies who have taken the time to leave a comment on any of my previous posts too.</div>
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Hope you are all feeling happy & healthy.</div>
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Loads of love,</div>
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Jennie</div>
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xXx<br />
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Frocktasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649180645331805365noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376530029828568772.post-31269203849681796292014-05-22T14:57:00.000+01:002014-05-22T14:57:10.752+01:00Rescue Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The past few weeks have been immensely hectic but also very rewarding and fun.</div>
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I am thrilled to announce that both Mark and I are now <a href="http://www.aquatron.co.uk/cgi-bin/web_store.cgi?page=rescuediver.html&cart_id=5898631_108033802299_22313" target="_blank">PADI Rescue Divers</a>, huzzah!</div>
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The course consisted of one classroom session, three pool sessions and the open water grande finale at <a href="http://www.finstrokes.com/shore-dive/20-dogfish-reef.html" target="_blank">Dogfish Reef,</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loch_Fyne" target="_blank">Loch Fyne</a> last Sunday.</div>
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To say that the course was physically demanding would be an understatement, there were times when I was seriously wondering if I'd be able to get through it. </div>
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To surface an unresponsive diver, giving rescue breaths and towing him or her to the shore whilst removing their and your own gear, then dragging them onto the shore before performing CPR and instructing others to contact Emergency Services (or having to do this yourself) is a <b>TALL ORDER</b>! However when you succeed in doing it, you feel totally flipping awesome.</div>
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The Rescue Diver Course made me realize the utmost importance of personal fitness and also that I still have to gain a fair bit of diving experience before I get to grips with the Dive Master Course.</div>
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So the aim for the coming months will be to go diving whenever the opportunity presents itself.</div>
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There are plenty of great dive sites to explore here in Scotland and with any luck we will have a great summer of doing just that.</div>
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I'm also hoping to do a few more courses with <a href="http://www.aquatron.co.uk/cgi-bin/web_store.cgi?page=home.html&cart_id=5898631_10803" target="_blank">Aquatron</a>; the <a href="http://www.aquatron.co.uk/cgi-bin/web_store.cgi?page=searchandrecoverydiver.html&cart_id=5898631_108033802299_22313" target="_blank">Search and Recovery</a> one is at the top of my list.</div>
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Last Saturday it was time for Frocktasia to roll out the rail again at <a href="http://www.judysvintagefair.co.uk/" target="_blank">Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair</a>. </div>
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This time the fair was held in the fabulous Wasp Artists' Studio in <a href="http://www.waspsstudios.org.uk/studios-spaces/briggait-merchant-city" target="_blank">The Briggait</a>, which is a tremendously impressive, wonderfully light building and hands down the best venue we've ever had the pleasure to trade at.</div>
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Much like the last Judy's we did, we were kept busy pretty much from the beginning to the end and our complimentary necklaces and lollipops went down a treat.</div>
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I'm not sure when the next Judy's will be held in Glasgow but the fair floor manager on the day said that there might be one in Edinburgh during <a href="https://www.edfringe.com/" target="_blank">the festival </a>and hopefully by then we will have a car.</div>
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Here is my May (thus far) in pics...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86m4342_FxBjsjQwSQRTedfQq6Fjwlopuygq-NpKQ5q7tJoi4o9glxNviro3CvwVNHSf3n9WuDuCEQrPGyOzWDteegz9c9xIGeUrFDErF-Phvvo8SylB7ysDXRoYfFoQOYOBM92Bk/s1600/yryry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86m4342_FxBjsjQwSQRTedfQq6Fjwlopuygq-NpKQ5q7tJoi4o9glxNviro3CvwVNHSf3n9WuDuCEQrPGyOzWDteegz9c9xIGeUrFDErF-Phvvo8SylB7ysDXRoYfFoQOYOBM92Bk/s1600/yryry.jpg" height="544" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first thing we sold at Judy's last Saturday was the 90s knitted RAVE hat. <br />May it go forth and have a wicked summer on the head of the wee girly that bought it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0_o15lKf81UP88XtIL1kRMvpkhF0AZyVoaVocp-ekcv2bW5a3DGHuKiVS89ZSty3ExIbJ-alpRnovf5_tt2AqqVQYg-e1FD-YlKY-iaBjfqW-bnyrORYIOXvZ0n9v5z2EOBqx7Wo/s1600/tyqwe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0_o15lKf81UP88XtIL1kRMvpkhF0AZyVoaVocp-ekcv2bW5a3DGHuKiVS89ZSty3ExIbJ-alpRnovf5_tt2AqqVQYg-e1FD-YlKY-iaBjfqW-bnyrORYIOXvZ0n9v5z2EOBqx7Wo/s1600/tyqwe.jpg" height="640" width="518" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The obligatory SIFOS (seller in front of stall) pics.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8upPFbJJmU4HDMWGGxFAdnxXVZpzly0cTIbrEvmR5ihC0pviSv3QdXf7gbW9q1DEmYgs2tdfzxs4xMrKn9Mle8Y-Ms_HAJzrvx4HuWwauwwEHpQCb-uQmeo_qXI_n9vw7uVXohHL/s1600/et.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8upPFbJJmU4HDMWGGxFAdnxXVZpzly0cTIbrEvmR5ihC0pviSv3QdXf7gbW9q1DEmYgs2tdfzxs4xMrKn9Mle8Y-Ms_HAJzrvx4HuWwauwwEHpQCb-uQmeo_qXI_n9vw7uVXohHL/s1600/et.jpg" height="640" width="408" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cut-offs are evidently still going strong. I remember tutting at the prices of these when <a href="http://vintagevixon.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Vix </a>(<a href="http://nationalvintageawards.com/vote2014/" target="_blank">VOTE VIX</a>) and I went to the London Fashion Weekend in 2010, I think they've come down in price since then?! <br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TallulaVintage" target="_blank">Tallula Vintage</a> had some exceptionally pretty frocks up for grabs but alas I am still on a buying ban. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPO7oUDd4wA_UMbgkIzxsLqMO0LzZlpUjT2aglCl_eCU7oW0frvM6mkUm9DzvKuFrb_kE5Msqj5oNLH5Vv9LOwm4_USqJycWaQrOZovsVFVOX7_VrMshK-MqGu7DPFtJxYYAG6jqUZ/s1600/fwrq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPO7oUDd4wA_UMbgkIzxsLqMO0LzZlpUjT2aglCl_eCU7oW0frvM6mkUm9DzvKuFrb_kE5Msqj5oNLH5Vv9LOwm4_USqJycWaQrOZovsVFVOX7_VrMshK-MqGu7DPFtJxYYAG6jqUZ/s1600/fwrq.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tania was our delightful stall neighbour on the day. Her fabulous <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Valadon1923" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a> is stocked to the hilt with eclectic vintage finds and upcycled discoveries. <br />The fetching retro print curtain in the £3 bargain bag of another seller made me think of <a href="http://vintagevixon.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/curtain-couture-designer-edition.html" target="_blank">The Queen of Curtain Couture</a> (<a href="http://nationalvintageawards.com/vote2014/" target="_blank">VOTE VIX</a>).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOv6pGbpk1a_7bh8RqtX1OhYrYcxuGUvx8ggFb21gAE8c8jsFy7i9YSmz93VuV9-NAbMXf2RoXH2P7VTlFRkA3flZolN5qCjIKyHEJMn_kkcnc5XGSgMHz9-tle1FFnP19EcSE2z-d/s1600/gh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOv6pGbpk1a_7bh8RqtX1OhYrYcxuGUvx8ggFb21gAE8c8jsFy7i9YSmz93VuV9-NAbMXf2RoXH2P7VTlFRkA3flZolN5qCjIKyHEJMn_kkcnc5XGSgMHz9-tle1FFnP19EcSE2z-d/s1600/gh.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had to take a sneaky-snap of this fabulous shopper because I loved her psychedelic print mini frock and hippie head-chain get-up. <br />So much vintage and retro finery under one roof...truly something for everyone! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79fL6_NH1R4S3XbutACtj_05YXxkBPaqovIC2FmYg8N3Sq56-Cli7YQaTwzlexVrpn7IjK_KyRnbdiVQJACvm7vsUrblNcV0dJ4lF88U9HlsX7k4g2EvppAPcQSiCDJt1OPQa_WFv/s1600/wtetwe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79fL6_NH1R4S3XbutACtj_05YXxkBPaqovIC2FmYg8N3Sq56-Cli7YQaTwzlexVrpn7IjK_KyRnbdiVQJACvm7vsUrblNcV0dJ4lF88U9HlsX7k4g2EvppAPcQSiCDJt1OPQa_WFv/s1600/wtetwe.jpg" height="616" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wish every day was a Judy's day :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4qhOgJVDWPlfCMxKildYzPLMCm2NW9nDuIAb07wuIOQdtO7GgQry1BIDp-YPsedRywh2qZgw4xaKKq8WsED24WLAAN-qKrWJ03yk7_EriRJaIoH0xc7hSNrAhVthiP01g5vZjP5MV/s1600/teqwytwty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4qhOgJVDWPlfCMxKildYzPLMCm2NW9nDuIAb07wuIOQdtO7GgQry1BIDp-YPsedRywh2qZgw4xaKKq8WsED24WLAAN-qKrWJ03yk7_EriRJaIoH0xc7hSNrAhVthiP01g5vZjP5MV/s1600/teqwytwty.jpg" height="416" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What I Wore: 70s psychedelic print dress (Chiswick car boot sale), 70s suede waistcoat (Vintage dealer friend), layered tights (99p stores & Aldi), African mask necklace (Princess May car boot sale) and suede pixie boots (gift from my mum-in-law).</td></tr>
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On Sunday I brought my camera to the dive site in the hopes that I'd be able to take some cool snaps of us after the Rescue Diver Course but as soon as we left Glasgow the sky ripped open and it poured down pretty much the whole time we were at Dogfish Reef, so no luck there.</div>
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To be honest I was too shattered afterwards to even entertain the idea of acting photographer or even pose for pics...Yes, I really was that tired ;)</div>
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We managed to take a couple of pics in the morning before we set off.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Pe_X9MNFuyUIS5kN7wAT5-HpoINufmIuNyfBfcZkLe9KrvV1_GMHPENnkLWjz_4bYA7zvyIYY_AG2AoQU4OiTyvjuDq2HfkrvUcGZIWyPkXF18f-bCY8XUpfUPVP-zetBlMJ5Nyw/s1600/r6r6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Pe_X9MNFuyUIS5kN7wAT5-HpoINufmIuNyfBfcZkLe9KrvV1_GMHPENnkLWjz_4bYA7zvyIYY_AG2AoQU4OiTyvjuDq2HfkrvUcGZIWyPkXF18f-bCY8XUpfUPVP-zetBlMJ5Nyw/s1600/r6r6.JPG" height="640" width="594" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what the house looks like the day after diving. Drysuits & BCDs in the bathtub and a plethora of gear drying out on bath towels scattered throughout the flat. <br />It makes me feel very proud to see these pages of my training record signed off and I think Mark and I will have yet another wee celebration when our PADI certification cards come through.</td></tr>
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Before wrapping up, I'll just share a little picture medley from when we went to see <a href="http://www.maidenscotland.org.uk/" target="_blank">Maiden Scotland</a> play here in Glasgow, they ROCKED! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTCNOy-ITTGIQ-GuQamN_0m38cIdeTJHXOmEBW0_75bQLYQydO_jAVMTi1HDy6doewpc36KgUCNdWgOkq-Yb3aCvgooZ0MzSk3PZAD3vLCwOJqpUt6NiL7fN_Sgy5fH47bPxZszZf/s1600/wr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTCNOy-ITTGIQ-GuQamN_0m38cIdeTJHXOmEBW0_75bQLYQydO_jAVMTi1HDy6doewpc36KgUCNdWgOkq-Yb3aCvgooZ0MzSk3PZAD3vLCwOJqpUt6NiL7fN_Sgy5fH47bPxZszZf/s1600/wr.jpg" height="640" width="522" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last time we lived in Glasgow back in 2000 we had a band together with Dave who is pictured with his lovely girlfriend Emma and Allen who now plays bass for Maiden Scotland.</td></tr>
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Hope you are all doing grand and if you haven't already <a href="http://nationalvintageawards.com/vote2014/" target="_blank">VOTE FOR VIX</a>!!!</div>
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I'll love you and leave you with the soundtrack for the Rescue Diver Course :)</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/S9mp3s2gpy8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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All the best,</div>
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Jennie</div>
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xXx</div>
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<br />Frocktasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649180645331805365noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376530029828568772.post-87349265390187529842014-05-01T16:28:00.000+01:002014-05-01T16:34:32.453+01:00My Awesome April<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Time for a wee catch-up folks...</div>
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April was a really jam-packed month for me. </div>
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I did my scuba review with <a href="http://www.aquatron.co.uk/cgi-bin/web_store.cgi" target="_blank">Aquatron</a> in readiness for the Rescue Diver Course, stayed with Mark's mum in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballachulish" target="_blank">Ballachulish</a> for few days to give her a wee hand with the spring cleaning, then we had <a href="https://www.facebook.com/littlebirdsmarket" target="_blank">Little Birds Market</a>, I attended a Social Media Event with <a href="http://www.bgateway.com/" target="_blank">Business Gateway</a>, hooked up with lovely Sara of <a href="http://www.hellothemushroom.com/" target="_blank">Hello The Mushroom</a> and Lynsay aka <a href="http://misswestendgirl.com/" target="_blank">Miss West End Girl</a> in Edinburgh, went back up to Ballachulish for a days diving in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loch_Leven_(Highlands)" target="_blank">Loch Leven </a>with Mark and Ben, studied HARD for the <a href="http://www.aquatron.co.uk/cgi-bin/web_store.cgi?page=rescuediver.html&cart_id=6272_7590" target="_blank">Rescue Diver Course</a>, went to the first ever Aquatron social evening and started the Rescue Diver Course.</div>
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In between doing all of the above, I've sandwiched Frocktasia's online selling activities, although I have to admit that they did suffer somewhat last month with everything else being so full on. </div>
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Never mind, onwards and upwards is the motto for May.</div>
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I've got loads of frocks waiting to be added to my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/FROCKTASIA" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a> and this month we've also got another <a href="http://www.judysvintagefair.co.uk/events/glasgows-affordable-vintage-fair-2/" target="_blank">Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair </a>to look forward to.</div>
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The Rescue Diver Course is going very well, so far we've done the classroom & two pool sessions.</div>
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There is still one pool session to go and then it is the grande finale at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loch_Long" target="_blank">Loch Long </a>on the 18th, the day after Judy's. Mark and I are going to be well and truly cream-crackered after that weekend I can tell you.</div>
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I've been wanting to do this course for ages and although it is hard work and a lot to take in, I am thoroughly enjoying it :)</div>
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Here's a medley of April pics...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIs55Wh29CHLAPDULmtoK2CmtgBIbJcySb0KnZusqHOtsBBO40cc8cU_aRM5Q7roX9g3pn3eIDiiY9tuwss7ofim1DM5KU7bcr1JbbtEopqWKlG58vCQUkqzeAb4pIID5rGoix366Z/s1600/edinsara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIs55Wh29CHLAPDULmtoK2CmtgBIbJcySb0KnZusqHOtsBBO40cc8cU_aRM5Q7roX9g3pn3eIDiiY9tuwss7ofim1DM5KU7bcr1JbbtEopqWKlG58vCQUkqzeAb4pIID5rGoix366Z/s1600/edinsara.jpg" height="550" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was fab hanging out with Sara & Lynsey in Edinburgh, the weather that weekend was AMAZING! <br />
We popped in to <a href="http://www.armstrongsvintage.co.uk/" target="_blank">Armstrong's</a> to peruse their fabulous selection of vintage & retro attire.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILM0jynT6_OCG_MDVlp2hstHyMlb4KdtLt7ysicJNtTgNSG1E28GJCjra1i0ahO2XaJNqJ9iAYpUDgihg-BOuYL3Dd6nRhzlkREGprET9B73366jPgWPZksuGYr5A7o7fALoQzmoy/s1600/diveday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILM0jynT6_OCG_MDVlp2hstHyMlb4KdtLt7ysicJNtTgNSG1E28GJCjra1i0ahO2XaJNqJ9iAYpUDgihg-BOuYL3Dd6nRhzlkREGprET9B73366jPgWPZksuGYr5A7o7fALoQzmoy/s1600/diveday.jpg" height="550" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the day after Edinburgh, like I said we were blessed with some truly stunning spring weather. This was our first ever UK saltwater dive, so far we've only done open water diving in freshwater. It was also the first time we dived in our Scubapro drysuits. Was it cold? In the water...you bet :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVG5w7BwR_eXUwOpzxl8ZeyRWkMvi7DxhDIRpy8PxzGjg1y60A9J4vXVzHl5ZThOKLnrC_KPrlufNvPyhu8tDhplj4rBQ30-JF03JxVZM7O71tzGXsMOdjvGD55Fco0jbQIJn3QhoN/s1600/diveday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVG5w7BwR_eXUwOpzxl8ZeyRWkMvi7DxhDIRpy8PxzGjg1y60A9J4vXVzHl5ZThOKLnrC_KPrlufNvPyhu8tDhplj4rBQ30-JF03JxVZM7O71tzGXsMOdjvGD55Fco0jbQIJn3QhoN/s1600/diveday2.jpg" height="550" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The visibility in the Loch wasn't all that great on the day but I still managed to see crabs, sea urchins and loads of brittle stars. After the dives mum had cooked us a wonderful meal of yummy veggie chilli and rhubarb crumble that we devoured in her garden.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7iyKAn5VVXivzWDMmFudDzBuz153tpHc-ZKbbF6SK5tR3PtSWMam9jHRTAqNRPrGrUQH6AvJvJmkDmSCb9nwhVuUBdcbDZfkVX_5RVY6sQdIdWZx0kh8zL9wZQnNN5XvEpJA9n9E/s1600/gjywtey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7iyKAn5VVXivzWDMmFudDzBuz153tpHc-ZKbbF6SK5tR3PtSWMam9jHRTAqNRPrGrUQH6AvJvJmkDmSCb9nwhVuUBdcbDZfkVX_5RVY6sQdIdWZx0kh8zL9wZQnNN5XvEpJA9n9E/s1600/gjywtey.jpg" height="464" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last Friday I went to the first ever <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/629364640473920/636869189723465/?notif_t=plan_mall_activity" target="_blank">Aquatron Social Evening</a> to listen to Annie & Martin talk about tips & tricks for underwater photography and videography. These guys are so knowledgeable and enthusiastic. I'm so pleased for Mark that he gets to work with such a fab bunch of people. Then on Saturday the Rescue Diver Course started with the classroom session, behold my neat freak course work and Annie's adorable wee dog :) </td></tr>
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To round off a pretty perfect month, Mark and I decided to go walkies on his day off. </div>
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Tuesday felt like the first day of summer here in Rutherglen, so we made our way to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linn_Park" target="_blank">Linn Park</a> and the fabulous <a href="http://www.scotcities.com/cathcart/whitecartwalk.htm" target="_blank">White Cart Walkway</a>...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebHXNFF8Ov3dl9umSMJsVBeDEK5_Vq6nqfozbKDMSRLsOb0raHoBxftiYGvX0zdLznZnm04NIpkr-JPYXg_I9CeOqRcLi4Vpv-G7K_ommAuNlFmDLkPCHAOU9e3EUElzc7A90lxTH/s1600/wtet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebHXNFF8Ov3dl9umSMJsVBeDEK5_Vq6nqfozbKDMSRLsOb0raHoBxftiYGvX0zdLznZnm04NIpkr-JPYXg_I9CeOqRcLi4Vpv-G7K_ommAuNlFmDLkPCHAOU9e3EUElzc7A90lxTH/s1600/wtet.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My awesome Hello The Mushroom tote bag got its first outing, thank you Sara :)</td></tr>
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I'm so chuffed that we ended up living within striking distance of so many awesome parks. </div>
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It makes the outdoorsy part of me jump with joy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRwQ6MpE3m0cE5vcnoJ-U3w4QddkXE6h0lD7v5EQnGFZWb84S2urBPtjbwGcuNh8tHE6245Eed7qSG6F7DwrmeUfNBcLs0D9GS7-c4eWMAZ6BSnqmEsDDptRvs4P3F6S-2HAQNSUI/s1600/hqwghg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRwQ6MpE3m0cE5vcnoJ-U3w4QddkXE6h0lD7v5EQnGFZWb84S2urBPtjbwGcuNh8tHE6245Eed7qSG6F7DwrmeUfNBcLs0D9GS7-c4eWMAZ6BSnqmEsDDptRvs4P3F6S-2HAQNSUI/s1600/hqwghg.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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A celebratory cartwheel display...</div>
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Hurrah, spring/summer is finally here :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5cngdJcQSPW6AHCzeNI3qsMF81-L9ria9nmSq7VN4aG4prGxyPfyoJ5vgNdBaDkmWQCxgtyBw4wpZ32rsTHS4P7lD8j-4MC6CrSeIlXqjQtiuYsLXsJWSJV9Av2VeRg1kg9RFVVG/s1600/output_8lBQAQ+(1).gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5cngdJcQSPW6AHCzeNI3qsMF81-L9ria9nmSq7VN4aG4prGxyPfyoJ5vgNdBaDkmWQCxgtyBw4wpZ32rsTHS4P7lD8j-4MC6CrSeIlXqjQtiuYsLXsJWSJV9Av2VeRg1kg9RFVVG/s1600/output_8lBQAQ+(1).gif" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hope you are all doing grand folks?!</div>
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I will leave you with a cover tune that makes me smile from ear to ear and throw some odd shapes, enjoy :)</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/cnYBkEE05bA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Loads of love,</div>
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Jennie</div>
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xXx</div>
Frocktasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649180645331805365noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376530029828568772.post-84831529997937605762014-04-16T01:43:00.000+01:002014-04-16T01:58:19.425+01:00The Pigs Might Fly Post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hello again :)</div>
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At the beginning of every month I think to myself...</div>
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<b>"This month I will start blogging again!"</b></div>
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but so far this year it has all kind of fallen by the wayside.</div>
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Stocking <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/FROCKTASIA" target="_blank">my Etsy shop</a> & just generally trying to get into the swing of running Frocktasia as a proper business has been an all consuming pursuit for the past wee while. A painfully slow crawl up a very steep learning curve but I believe things are finally starting to slot into place & even make a bit of sense.</div>
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Frocktasia had a fabulous outing at <a href="http://www.judysvintagefair.co.uk/" target="_blank">Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair</a> at Glasgow Student Union last month and it was by far the busiest market we've ever done. We will definitely attend every Judy's here in Glasgow from now on and hopefully (once we get a car) branch out to the one they do in Edinburgh too. The next one in Glasgow is held at <a href="http://www.judysvintagefair.co.uk/events/glasgows-affordable-vintage-fair-2/" target="_blank">Wasps Artists' Studios on the 17th of May </a>the day before Mark and I are off to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loch_Long" target="_blank">Loch Long </a>with <a href="http://www.aquatron.co.uk/cgi-bin/web_store.cgi" target="_blank">Aquatron</a> to do our final day of the Rescue Diver Course and hopefully bag our certificates.</div>
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Mark is working at Aquatron Dive Centre now; what started as a Dive Master Internship turned into full-time employment and he couldn't be more thrilled if he tried. </div>
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The move to Glasgow has been a marvelous thing for both of us so far, long may it continue :)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZA6kXhlAOwthyphenhyphenRrCSOI6-PQGLhnOLUqyINw8XWCdvpDSTRtMmtQI_bPptbmvK8WK0D8I-m-o-7SR8a7xs0zDZScB4vU9gokbMqcPBFOBKU3EAsDZMmn-0n3mwXBcW6uhkRegB31Tl/s1600/1977100_10154116627770413_690441108_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZA6kXhlAOwthyphenhyphenRrCSOI6-PQGLhnOLUqyINw8XWCdvpDSTRtMmtQI_bPptbmvK8WK0D8I-m-o-7SR8a7xs0zDZScB4vU9gokbMqcPBFOBKU3EAsDZMmn-0n3mwXBcW6uhkRegB31Tl/s1600/1977100_10154116627770413_690441108_n.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our wee pitch at Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair last month. A wheel came off one of our bags en route to the venue so we were pretty flustered by the time we got there. We had some jolly nice stall neighbours on the day though, Scott and Ross from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/breakingpopvintage" target="_blank">Breaking Pop Vintage</a>.</td></tr>
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Last Sunday we were back at Sloans for another lovely day at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/littlebirdsmarket" target="_blank">Little Birds Market</a> :)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uGYpKHM2qiI_ZmeuXAbh1UBb07-tQuCOjeSV7FtzcmFuwAMtzfKKpuGnJ9xsN6a6U5RopMpB907TSJZGrp4oyemkqt_0Gtf5wdt2uM4jCWsb_LUtnAkWipHzztLj9LEt2pq0TRaQ/s1600/5657457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uGYpKHM2qiI_ZmeuXAbh1UBb07-tQuCOjeSV7FtzcmFuwAMtzfKKpuGnJ9xsN6a6U5RopMpB907TSJZGrp4oyemkqt_0Gtf5wdt2uM4jCWsb_LUtnAkWipHzztLj9LEt2pq0TRaQ/s1600/5657457.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage scarves & ties have turned out to be a big hit with our market and fair customers.</td></tr>
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One thing I really miss about London is its awesome car boot sales and markets. I'm running a bit low on scarves at the moment so I thought I'd check out <a href="http://www.polmadiecarbootsale.co.uk/" target="_blank">the local car boot sale </a>but it was pretty dreadful in comparison to the ones that I used to frequent down south. Maybe it will get better once the fair-weather sellers come out in force, if not I'll just have to jump on the bus and go for a cheeky wee boot sale buying weekend in London.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4p5C-zZat1yNYvhDT8M7QuVvbjCMcsQX4L3FH0Lzkm7UuDtmdYhqSWe_yX02A5p-MqkaiXD8gx88aeGHyU00mdBHWyFApLoKKgoqdaB5k_elZotfo8Mo9d8-hz4gO7cGfzZiFwyg/s1600/weyutwe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4p5C-zZat1yNYvhDT8M7QuVvbjCMcsQX4L3FH0Lzkm7UuDtmdYhqSWe_yX02A5p-MqkaiXD8gx88aeGHyU00mdBHWyFApLoKKgoqdaB5k_elZotfo8Mo9d8-hz4gO7cGfzZiFwyg/s1600/weyutwe.jpg" height="458" width="640" /></a></div>
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There is an absolute glut of charity shops here in Glasgow but I'm yet to find a real treasure trove.</div>
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My shopping lust soon fades when all I'm faced with is rails upon rails of second hand F&F, George & Atmosphere.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSbDAIhCP8XeKwDpYazuuBszpyXYhva482gue7IVXIKvpJarhf6e6hQiQ5e-P_bFNiJD4G_rk6RWT9S7gZbNveatq8uQ2nFCZUWiEy0m011SGLmvJ8ZXhUpwvoyoJNGyl0-zMXS8s/s1600/hutu6rer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSbDAIhCP8XeKwDpYazuuBszpyXYhva482gue7IVXIKvpJarhf6e6hQiQ5e-P_bFNiJD4G_rk6RWT9S7gZbNveatq8uQ2nFCZUWiEy0m011SGLmvJ8ZXhUpwvoyoJNGyl0-zMXS8s/s1600/hutu6rer.jpg" height="482" width="640" /></a></div>
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Don't get me wrong it is not like I'm running out of stock or anything, I have a storage unit full of fabulous threads to "shop" from for the foreseeable future :)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0eMgXThOt_zqlw1rSJ_x_8sYA-Al7y2tDtRpdQx2ZC3jsgx167n3G7g6-juW9OfVEJ65nZNrLzfp8rugWP8f1_vkZ_BfdH2kljjCjM3Sz2iyMCa8U8kkzhB6jr3mAr5UEKejwESpP/s1600/juiou+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0eMgXThOt_zqlw1rSJ_x_8sYA-Al7y2tDtRpdQx2ZC3jsgx167n3G7g6-juW9OfVEJ65nZNrLzfp8rugWP8f1_vkZ_BfdH2kljjCjM3Sz2iyMCa8U8kkzhB6jr3mAr5UEKejwESpP/s1600/juiou+022.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made these necklaces to give away to our market customers last Sunday as 'Rock Up Early Rewards'.</td></tr>
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To this months Little Birds Market I wore a fabulous 70s frock by Susan Small and a pair of suede pixie boots that my awesome mum-in-law gave me when I went up for a flying visit last weekend.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9v2w7JUD90p8GP0l16iShGR6ytVQ-5dA8aPOAonAgFEBdfq1bpIoe97f3Aas7fy0B8xftsl6koFmh57Hfz-kwInq3hQUU8UhrOL6PzIhA_QwdVjMavk4NQSvAftj3kJ6Q0VDDoMf/s1600/triou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9v2w7JUD90p8GP0l16iShGR6ytVQ-5dA8aPOAonAgFEBdfq1bpIoe97f3Aas7fy0B8xftsl6koFmh57Hfz-kwInq3hQUU8UhrOL6PzIhA_QwdVjMavk4NQSvAftj3kJ6Q0VDDoMf/s1600/triou.jpg" height="640" width="522" /></a></div>
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This was lovely Palma's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blithe-Spirit/264234240292420" target="_blank">Blithe Spirit Vintage Jewellery</a> stall at Little Birds, I loved those fabulous cut-outs...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOosejRGBCFmUghdzkXwFEKMRLh9Klmau7haBd6dPkWDeSql2ESclgQzsOC3Ks23_cCeK9FLuuW5gW6YZGrq9SnNM-ucpNKIY0eaqdLZnP0JFFBC_I8JFH_h4vJzkv5Bo8UUkRmCP/s1600/grewtrytwer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOosejRGBCFmUghdzkXwFEKMRLh9Klmau7haBd6dPkWDeSql2ESclgQzsOC3Ks23_cCeK9FLuuW5gW6YZGrq9SnNM-ucpNKIY0eaqdLZnP0JFFBC_I8JFH_h4vJzkv5Bo8UUkRmCP/s1600/grewtrytwer.jpg" height="394" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palma has a well stocked <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlitheSpiritVintage" target="_blank">Etsy store</a> where you can peruse and shop her spectacular collection of vintage jewellery.</td></tr>
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That pretty much wraps it up for this time and if my past track record is anything to go by my next blog post will happen after I've done <a href="http://www.judysvintagefair.co.uk/events/glasgows-affordable-vintage-fair-2/" target="_blank">Judy's at Wasps Artists' Studio</a>, my Rescue Diver Course and my first ever proper dive in Scottish waters but who knows I might surprise you all and blog more frequently from now on?!</div>
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....and then again pigs might fly ;)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDot9QCyIaVYozGGbXUteAeWldLLutcI5PeFTrw6PfDEOu9uKDOLEYRcxSObC5WtMc7oUgmHG2GnzZqlhsZFylDZMF85_5Mu7z6E9xtRrdCGn11NYtOSCFFG0yCZ264KTC3_V1QX2M/s1600/1174966_10153384572485413_1634518346_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDot9QCyIaVYozGGbXUteAeWldLLutcI5PeFTrw6PfDEOu9uKDOLEYRcxSObC5WtMc7oUgmHG2GnzZqlhsZFylDZMF85_5Mu7z6E9xtRrdCGn11NYtOSCFFG0yCZ264KTC3_V1QX2M/s1600/1174966_10153384572485413_1634518346_n.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here I am diving (and looking freaky) in Wraysbury lake last year, hopefully the water in Loch Long has slightly better visibility.</td></tr>
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Until next time folks, enjoy!<br />
Jennie</div>
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xXx</div>
Frocktasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649180645331805365noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376530029828568772.post-83423165236981053622014-03-11T23:47:00.000+00:002014-03-12T00:00:18.272+00:00Like a bat out of hell another month goes by<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I can't believe it is March already, time is speeding past like Jay Kay in a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koenigsegg_One:1" target="_blank">Koeningsegg One:1</a>.</div>
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At least it is speeding towards lighter and warmer times.</div>
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Today I've been busy adding more stock to <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/FROCKTASIA?ref=em" target="_blank">the Frocktasia etsy shop</a>. My target is two hundred items before the end of the month, so I've got a few days of hardcore work still ahead of me. I'm trying to coordinate my online selling activities in with my market outings, so any stock that is featured in a market preview and doesn't sell on the day can go straight onto etsy. So I'm having plenty of photo session with Barbara before the markets and then getting stuck into editing, taking measurement, writing descriptions and finally bringing it all together into a listing after. Online selling is a whole heap of work but it is also were you reach the largest number of potential customers, so it simply has to be done.</div>
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I would love to be able to survive on doing markets alone but it's just not feasible, especially since I don't have my own transport & even if I did, I'd have to learn how to drive it first.</div>
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Speaking of markets, last Sunday we were back at the fabulous <a href="https://www.facebook.com/littlebirdsmarket?fref=ts" target="_blank">Little Birds Market </a>at Sloans...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzR4RYR0Ysdl3fi6Y-xdfCOGW9sDcVwv2gf8XIhPEw5NzOrXH_e6Rv8E4sD6_x_i0TbapVQyoZX3Tn1w3l6EePNKRLK5-tJOqqLS9x1JS_pdjJreA_8usMxyhOJEUCi5L14FrENh7e/s1600/1947504_631294763603020_1350459947_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzR4RYR0Ysdl3fi6Y-xdfCOGW9sDcVwv2gf8XIhPEw5NzOrXH_e6Rv8E4sD6_x_i0TbapVQyoZX3Tn1w3l6EePNKRLK5-tJOqqLS9x1JS_pdjJreA_8usMxyhOJEUCi5L14FrENh7e/s1600/1947504_631294763603020_1350459947_n.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frocktasia's stall at Little Birds Market.</td></tr>
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Mark and I absolutely adore this market. It is very easy for us to get to in the morning, (just a five minute walk to the station then a twenty minute train ride and another five minute walk) when you are weighed down like a Himalayan Sherpa, stuff like that really matters. <a href="http://www.sloansglasgow.com/" target="_blank">Sloans</a> is situated slap bang in the middle of Glasgow and the Little Birds team headed by the very lovely Vicki work their tail-ends off to get people through the doors. We had some fabulous customers on Sunday. My heart always skips a beat when someone comes back from the powder room with a smile on their face, hands over the garment and goes " Can I have that please"...I love it!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHEc3P2BpxvEpUodN7tgOdTxBlS2hYx82ydAM3p2NSA1gpqOeixACAveOgRsSIEsCeHDOZViR4KB5PVekZRzbK4Nrt8ApKMsQmnEucyS8-D3E5_Ck5DeCY5NbOCN8fqpWjBPdPMIR/s1600/qweyteyt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHEc3P2BpxvEpUodN7tgOdTxBlS2hYx82ydAM3p2NSA1gpqOeixACAveOgRsSIEsCeHDOZViR4KB5PVekZRzbK4Nrt8ApKMsQmnEucyS8-D3E5_Ck5DeCY5NbOCN8fqpWjBPdPMIR/s1600/qweyteyt.jpg" height="350" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had <a href="http://sopastcaring.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/springing-into-action.html" target="_blank">Curtise's </a>identical frock twin on our rail on the day , it didn't sell so it will be joining the other frocks over in my etsy shop.</td></tr>
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We shared The Snug room with the lovely Palma and her fabulous <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blithe-Spirit/264234240292420?fref=ts" target="_blank">Blithe Spirit Jewellery </a>again...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uOYv5yX0ToYk3Mu9ebHSHS8xWmIaH5wXR3RPtf-xPEFgB0NrPtGKhyphenhyphenxEq_jUgaktXYlNP8DGHZYE7yNylH6zZPHWqV7Z9oWrU5fo_UC-11p5a3lzoNeKwd8WCD53u6JNUaFVvLzK/s1600/vm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uOYv5yX0ToYk3Mu9ebHSHS8xWmIaH5wXR3RPtf-xPEFgB0NrPtGKhyphenhyphenxEq_jUgaktXYlNP8DGHZYE7yNylH6zZPHWqV7Z9oWrU5fo_UC-11p5a3lzoNeKwd8WCD53u6JNUaFVvLzK/s1600/vm.jpg" height="376" width="640" /></a></div>
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A couple of weeks ago we were at another market called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GrannyWouldBeProud?fref=ts" target="_blank">Granny Would Be Proud </a>and there we were delighted to meet the gorgeous Jenni of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RetroRainbowVintage?fref=ts" target="_blank">Retro Rainbow Vintage</a>, a fellow vintage lover and trader based near Glasgow. Jenni started selling vintage online when she fell pregnant five years ago and haven't looked back since. She runs a very successful <a href="http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Retro-Rainbow-Vintage?_trksid=p2047675.l2563" target="_blank">eBay store</a> and does the rounds on the Glasgow market and fair scene. On Saturday we are both doing <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/354137411395709/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair</a> held at Glasgow University Union and Jenni, being the very experienced & professional seller she is, has already posted her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.690369461009302.1073741943.390731010973150&type=1" target="_blank">preview folder </a>on the events page. I on the other hand have only half-arsed sorted my stock out. I'm sure I'll get up to speed at some point in the hopefully not too distant future. At the moment it pretty much nonstop GO GO GO! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIa1iIw7P8TYAQk0h7lbfHg9j-iQyRQq-pIt-mRwts1gW2K38DLrniCthmt5hR8u5cXGmAvLuzHBNe_sxnFEzN8HZHtfBdEw9IVW2kxy3ycZ8RIk4kHx6Bhoe7Qz26Vjq7udTwEDEB/s1600/ewfuqfyif23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIa1iIw7P8TYAQk0h7lbfHg9j-iQyRQq-pIt-mRwts1gW2K38DLrniCthmt5hR8u5cXGmAvLuzHBNe_sxnFEzN8HZHtfBdEw9IVW2kxy3ycZ8RIk4kHx6Bhoe7Qz26Vjq7udTwEDEB/s1600/ewfuqfyif23.jpg" height="318" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenni and her rail vintage fabulousness. On the day she was wearing the most exquisite blouse by Gunne Sax, she has an expert eye for a stunning vintage garment this girl.</td></tr>
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I fell in love with these fab dolls by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Oscar-Cat-Creations/150671448280461" target="_blank">Oscar Cat Creations</a>...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQF1HL5c1QwKql_4kiqYyKpbTDlcC2TEd_i9exJhXIVSojCjLMVXiLhWsGe3ZLPHHLKB48cT9lr_9p7r1prQE-QyjJa9HhInC53Z0FkHI14wxwlNa7iIsRRec9ERK2vFRJiKra1lu/s1600/wfqefewyq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQF1HL5c1QwKql_4kiqYyKpbTDlcC2TEd_i9exJhXIVSojCjLMVXiLhWsGe3ZLPHHLKB48cT9lr_9p7r1prQE-QyjJa9HhInC53Z0FkHI14wxwlNa7iIsRRec9ERK2vFRJiKra1lu/s1600/wfqefewyq.jpg" height="500" width="640" /></a></div>
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This was me on Sunday morning en route to Little Birds wearing the same old dress that I wore to our first ever <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Dandy-Lion-Market/165313296862777?fref=ts" target="_blank">Dandy Lion Market </a>a year ago.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHcG8z7lYkboB2hRbDQ1lqIGR6ToLnZTU7GjNsYH7dM0qoqFQKMcWdWB3hFDAI6bTwU0YQlaWuE3p8EFswA-vSeXakHh-Jm9DiNbspPXSKqmIyDFXWsAhxuPXO-XE0IXXAZ_9Vaaf/s1600/123t3tr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHcG8z7lYkboB2hRbDQ1lqIGR6ToLnZTU7GjNsYH7dM0qoqFQKMcWdWB3hFDAI6bTwU0YQlaWuE3p8EFswA-vSeXakHh-Jm9DiNbspPXSKqmIyDFXWsAhxuPXO-XE0IXXAZ_9Vaaf/s1600/123t3tr.jpg" height="640" width="372" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm looking very anemic, bring on the spring sun!</td></tr>
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Leslie is doing a special <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/684063794984907/" target="_blank">Mother Appeal fundraising edition</a> of The Dandy in partnership with Oxfam on the 22nd of March, so if you happen to be in London that day do pop along, I can highly recommend a visit. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-inj3bt8BEqV2jXOItuxpR_xAkswzsIoYv-VcszfKsCqNpYNwot2sJ_SzP1TwrCgoxUHNU9yu7O11y0Uzx57Dv44JJCrbIj_aGV8pGi2IsNRutqD5IYclIWH1jPRnRJ_9fAio4ESA/s1600/1902845_10152202950758279_118955282_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-inj3bt8BEqV2jXOItuxpR_xAkswzsIoYv-VcszfKsCqNpYNwot2sJ_SzP1TwrCgoxUHNU9yu7O11y0Uzx57Dv44JJCrbIj_aGV8pGi2IsNRutqD5IYclIWH1jPRnRJ_9fAio4ESA/s1600/1902845_10152202950758279_118955282_n.jpg" height="640" width="442" /></a></div>
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Tomorrow Mark and I are heading up to the storage unit to pick up some fresh threads for Judy's on Saturday and then I'll be flat out prepping for the event, I am so looking forward to it.</div>
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Hope you are all doing grand folks.</div>
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I'll love you and leave you with the amazingly talented Meat Loaf...</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q9hLcRU5wE4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Loads of love,</div>
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Jennie</div>
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xXx</div>
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Frocktasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649180645331805365noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376530029828568772.post-25638308066867049882014-02-14T01:15:00.000+00:002014-02-14T01:22:14.074+00:00Frocktasia Towers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I promised in a previous post that I'd give you a tour around our wee abode and today I finally got round to taking some pics. These past few weeks I've been very busy with market preparations and writing my business plan. Starting my own business was never really a doable thing when we were living in London. I did try but the horrendously steep living costs were too much of a prohibitive factor. Any attempts came to an abrupt end as soon as rent day loomed. It was never going to happen in London but I think Glasgow might be just the ticket. </div>
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Last Sunday Frocktasia made a splash at the lovely <a href="https://www.facebook.com/littlebirdsmarket" target="_blank">Little Birds Market </a>& on the 23rd of this month we're testing out <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/453398848024420/" target="_blank">Granny Would Be Proud</a>. I was so impressed with Little Birds so I've already booked a stall for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/478130458964400/" target="_blank">the March event</a> and we'll also be doing a turn at <a href="http://www.judysvintagefair.co.uk/events/glasgow-vintage-fair/" target="_blank">Glasgow's Affordable Vintage Fair</a> on the 15th of next month.</div>
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I thank my lucky stars that Mark spotted that <a href="http://frocktasia.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/frocktasia-on-road.html" target="_blank">Can't Buy Me Love</a> poster last year and then gently twisted my arm into doing it, that initial plunge was a game changer. Meeting <a href="https://www.facebook.com/leslieworks" target="_blank">Leslie</a> was another pivotal moment and exhibiting at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Dandy-Lion-Market/165313296862777" target="_blank">The Dandy Lion Market</a> boosted my confidence no end. I'm chuffed to bits how things have turned out.</div>
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Right I stop harping on and show you our pad. It is tiny compared to what we left behind in London but then again we are not paying £1000 per month any more. Much like our last flat this one is a bloody fridge but thankfully we are getting some insulation put in at the end of this month. Hopefully that will mean, no more wearing all your outdoors clothing indoors, fingers crossed.</div>
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Here's our home...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSb3K2yQPth-ThDg-rgv5C9cIZgnf-zJhm5q7XeO8p24lzTj4NlGeD5vCNYA7xdLCDard2CzThmuHUuGswd0ePOOKwGKOyAdPe0BUvAgqY8iD7YzV_H4jkj9FSfdM9s19c-VdxuEZ1/s1600/hjweh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSb3K2yQPth-ThDg-rgv5C9cIZgnf-zJhm5q7XeO8p24lzTj4NlGeD5vCNYA7xdLCDard2CzThmuHUuGswd0ePOOKwGKOyAdPe0BUvAgqY8iD7YzV_H4jkj9FSfdM9s19c-VdxuEZ1/s1600/hjweh.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hallway featuring Iggy the plastic iguana.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtUE5ZbkFCqmFwHEsmTyyKi2aB-5J52TuLwwC_Bwg6fOG8hTXXH1RYxHFy7s9laZzW3kxYURxtlCenAoXl7QPOqaqGZzDqRbO3_QucLakG0bGtc2tw4YVXwUQCnQRAxpVOS9QFl8q/s1600/ww1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtUE5ZbkFCqmFwHEsmTyyKi2aB-5J52TuLwwC_Bwg6fOG8hTXXH1RYxHFy7s9laZzW3kxYURxtlCenAoXl7QPOqaqGZzDqRbO3_QucLakG0bGtc2tw4YVXwUQCnQRAxpVOS9QFl8q/s1600/ww1.jpg" height="640" width="448" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This house gave me good vibes from the first moment I stepped in the door.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5546t9r379OkHdZ0Kb7q7t384WHPE0ZQXqeR3t3sR1HDR-EPb2JciWq-hCSwon0ksWKfeUE1EgLsxQHLT7_-IrZ5Le-vGOz3adybqiujDwMQ25SJ7kV88eF0KoyB-4N7vsHEdl0Y/s1600/reer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5546t9r379OkHdZ0Kb7q7t384WHPE0ZQXqeR3t3sR1HDR-EPb2JciWq-hCSwon0ksWKfeUE1EgLsxQHLT7_-IrZ5Le-vGOz3adybqiujDwMQ25SJ7kV88eF0KoyB-4N7vsHEdl0Y/s1600/reer.jpg" height="640" width="486" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love all the wood paneling, it makes me think of cosy ski chalets in the Alps.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKE9MVB45goErP0gMjR1hZQ12SXAAGhAIr-rDvUi0Pmg69WUc9ebuMMGrBhKDiMqvzkMP_e2avD5nMJtq_WdcwKUt6Z7Yl7N4oPToyZWBfSnfDmhEqOMMNdn3fVuxTRd7og6TkCtI1/s1600/aa2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKE9MVB45goErP0gMjR1hZQ12SXAAGhAIr-rDvUi0Pmg69WUc9ebuMMGrBhKDiMqvzkMP_e2avD5nMJtq_WdcwKUt6Z7Yl7N4oPToyZWBfSnfDmhEqOMMNdn3fVuxTRd7og6TkCtI1/s1600/aa2.jpg" height="640" width="362" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bedroom is also Mark's playroom. Our beloved <a href="http://frocktasia.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/plant-loving-crackpot.html" target="_blank">plants</a> seem to dig the house too.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AYam6ld9IawLdVa6X1jKOGLkN3jq8sR5XkCG8jD1jLvCNrQcvvuB__giyKrTfaC5DwxsuRL9ZF58FyOxZYwanZrIgbaM3RsCm42C0aEOerStPAPIjGdpi6OX0R7Vg3vt5G3RDRFW/s1600/ww5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AYam6ld9IawLdVa6X1jKOGLkN3jq8sR5XkCG8jD1jLvCNrQcvvuB__giyKrTfaC5DwxsuRL9ZF58FyOxZYwanZrIgbaM3RsCm42C0aEOerStPAPIjGdpi6OX0R7Vg3vt5G3RDRFW/s1600/ww5.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my playroom or should that be Barbara's room perhaps?! We have a storage unit that is the same size as this room that holds my vast collection of clobber. I am so glad it's not kept in the house anymore.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCN_Lh478-7cdlI8M3GU1I3FCGurgS3bzAYqL9-PAyjPcgVmUAW8XeGIeFsdUxXmIH3_LK0vwPqRdDfCfD-jM-NDrLDc9omP4-3xfk8ScG8rETsUFIuLq9eQZw9n4VnVdUbLBJU2aP/s1600/bath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCN_Lh478-7cdlI8M3GU1I3FCGurgS3bzAYqL9-PAyjPcgVmUAW8XeGIeFsdUxXmIH3_LK0vwPqRdDfCfD-jM-NDrLDc9omP4-3xfk8ScG8rETsUFIuLq9eQZw9n4VnVdUbLBJU2aP/s1600/bath.jpg" height="420" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In our last flat we didn't have a shower so for twelve years I was a bath girl but this tub is tiny so I'm fast becoming a shower convert.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLpTcrwwFuQmFYYwBk31kgOMYsTPTUvcRjpEW9kCumiL59KmoKeam3Iqs9-rz1FJjlbppl7nm-EjlueoKem9XWa-Zpk0UWSUqzfXQcEE9IQBx72QF-p3cnSlxRU8vmMlLu-1m4VUI/s1600/www.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLpTcrwwFuQmFYYwBk31kgOMYsTPTUvcRjpEW9kCumiL59KmoKeam3Iqs9-rz1FJjlbppl7nm-EjlueoKem9XWa-Zpk0UWSUqzfXQcEE9IQBx72QF-p3cnSlxRU8vmMlLu-1m4VUI/s1600/www.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mum sent me this cute cross-stitch to keep above the toilet. It reads "You can sit here in your own thoughts until somebody else comes knocking"... in Swedish it rhymes.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6v6YSWXJfnbUibRn6h0aofvahWIdgXnmT3Jp9R3svH0yu3p51fZTXMByQiG5gtWu_URruPuN-W1vQeVadCksYzQCIZQvzdBwfpsSiCeQZrvTP-ic1_bwcCv0nQP3vLBmE5_aCo6w/s1600/sjaHSH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6v6YSWXJfnbUibRn6h0aofvahWIdgXnmT3Jp9R3svH0yu3p51fZTXMByQiG5gtWu_URruPuN-W1vQeVadCksYzQCIZQvzdBwfpsSiCeQZrvTP-ic1_bwcCv0nQP3vLBmE5_aCo6w/s1600/sjaHSH.jpg" height="308" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our wee tiny micro kitchen. This was the hardest thing to get used to. The kitchen in our last flat had a huge couch in it, loads of cupboard space and the door that led out to our beloved balcony and our gorgeous pigeon friends. It's definitely not a kitchen for a cooking enthusiast that's for sure. I'm learning to live with it but I will never love it.</td></tr>
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So there you go, you've now seen Frocktasia Towers. We do have a small garden with a shed too but it's too bleeding freezing to go outside today so that'll have to wait until a sunny day. We do get a lot of garden birds which is lovely and there are three pigeons that come regularly. A couple that we've named Laur<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">é</span>l and Hardy and a white speckled one that we call Motley.</div>
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To finish off just a little medley of pics from last week...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssHu7Aywc7LDFqu7-vkQUzlf8IWuDcgEsF9GksS2rTqYMgrgFVOLHy_EmQs6BwwL0SaKs4s12CkfOkHr_LG41mZVLlWvU_wlGr0T9QLSvPRI9AgZ90wjkvwOsUFf6sv99guVV0RW7/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssHu7Aywc7LDFqu7-vkQUzlf8IWuDcgEsF9GksS2rTqYMgrgFVOLHy_EmQs6BwwL0SaKs4s12CkfOkHr_LG41mZVLlWvU_wlGr0T9QLSvPRI9AgZ90wjkvwOsUFf6sv99guVV0RW7/s1600/6.jpg" height="540" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made a handcuff belt from a 50p set of furry love cuffs, I also bought two new wigs on eBay and took delivery of Frocktasia's new business cards and rubber stamp from Vistaprint.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2XlqWB_bvP7DE049KT2YjE2GEMNW1VstQfxA9HeIK3jFj_vu1_9ckLkXnuN8IgQBxy05EljGD9Cvr3fMh5Zd7a9dvutY77MPEW6iJDRyxM6lngaI8IvfDp2obSgHIIA31bLV6GJz/s1600/railready.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2XlqWB_bvP7DE049KT2YjE2GEMNW1VstQfxA9HeIK3jFj_vu1_9ckLkXnuN8IgQBxy05EljGD9Cvr3fMh5Zd7a9dvutY77MPEW6iJDRyxM6lngaI8IvfDp2obSgHIIA31bLV6GJz/s1600/railready.jpg" height="486" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's amazing how happy a rubber stamp can make a person, I felt like I was five years old playing post office again.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4hsRasmx25cvE5i-rbEEwqxa6ABZbEja9aJGyC1FQKLRlM1e7kIAXopW8Re3u5K6z-_aErfdpsuiI52VHzyvukhYxjPEbOWQMEnJy7LhujYGZAEZ0e8RnX-N6gY9QmAVH4PTGK3r/s1600/market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4hsRasmx25cvE5i-rbEEwqxa6ABZbEja9aJGyC1FQKLRlM1e7kIAXopW8Re3u5K6z-_aErfdpsuiI52VHzyvukhYxjPEbOWQMEnJy7LhujYGZAEZ0e8RnX-N6gY9QmAVH4PTGK3r/s1600/market.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our stall at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/littlebirdsmarket" target="_blank">Little Birds Market</a> at <a href="http://www.sloansglasgow.com/" target="_blank">Sloans</a>. We shared the fabulous Snug Room with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blithe-Spirit/264234240292420" target="_blank"> Blithe Spirit</a> vintage jewellery stall run by the very lovely Palma.</td></tr>
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That's all for this time folks, hope you are all doing well & keeping warm.</div>
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Loads of love,</div>
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Jennie</div>
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xXx</div>
Frocktasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649180645331805365noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376530029828568772.post-50278903551021016222014-01-26T00:01:00.001+00:002014-01-26T00:14:29.828+00:00Sláinte<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As it is Burns Night we were going to have veggie haggis , neeps and tatties for tea but when I went to turn the light on in the kitchen the blasted striplight blew. I didn't fancy cooking by candle light so instead we traipsed off to the pub to have our din-dins. I've really started enjoying going to pubs again. In London you'd get very little change back on a tenner for two pints but at our local watering hole a pint of ale is a mere one pound fifty. Complete and utter pie-eyedness is well achievable for less than a twenty spot. I think <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Burns" target="_blank">Rabbie Burns</a> would have approved.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7IjjSRN5-jdfhO7clDAaZCGfGKtsUwVjj9uAl4uMAbx2DZHOpjfUq6KeEedQiWhRq0rdgdHBDhf8V26ugQWVpgdztInyPQnRFggT6TG709r-JnawqdEfluyof6hV_39m-6OppUnou/s1600/yeuirwy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7IjjSRN5-jdfhO7clDAaZCGfGKtsUwVjj9uAl4uMAbx2DZHOpjfUq6KeEedQiWhRq0rdgdHBDhf8V26ugQWVpgdztInyPQnRFggT6TG709r-JnawqdEfluyof6hV_39m-6OppUnou/s1600/yeuirwy.jpg" height="640" width="458" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Faux-fur trim PVC coat (local discount fashion shop)<br />
Fluffy snood (99p Stores)<br />
70s crepe and lace blouse (market)<br />
90s Harris Tweed tartan shorts (market)<br />
Plain & lace layered tights (charity shop & Aldi)<br />
Doc Marten boots (car boot sale)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrB_cslanlhIdA_oKn5Dnl-q_3YOBRgrvBfPKx2dLw42d8UBhFkwHHfHUGbDMteXKxdkTt2KTmiDnXTyr5iX_-f0rHQdo7uPVvwdNzyI-XopfRMdsZ_kdnJ1kZcSM6pCaLzKh3THQ/s1600/erwyty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrB_cslanlhIdA_oKn5Dnl-q_3YOBRgrvBfPKx2dLw42d8UBhFkwHHfHUGbDMteXKxdkTt2KTmiDnXTyr5iX_-f0rHQdo7uPVvwdNzyI-XopfRMdsZ_kdnJ1kZcSM6pCaLzKh3THQ/s1600/erwyty.jpg" height="618" width="640" /></a></div>
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Last Thursday Mark and I spent three hours at the storage unit picking out an array of fabulous garments that will be gracing our rail at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/478130458964400/" target="_blank">Little Birds Market</a> on Sunday the 9th of February. </div>
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I also designed a new logo for Frocktasia and ordered some new business cards from Vistaprint.</div>
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We are both getting very excited about our launch into the Glasgow vintage market scene. I'll definitely do a "sneaky-peek post" as per usual but it won't be until a few days before the market. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqE_DVJLANEaxQlfNrKWGc19HIHy0psQeT5bTTBe8JpaH5KPSz5ZCtnZwZzwDeROdDHHXlwTCjk-mMFrceJa9qFlxcEhLbFIswOjGp042GjwUQCAfAg0dAHR7tSN0-Z-ydKyLYVnW/s1600/htr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqE_DVJLANEaxQlfNrKWGc19HIHy0psQeT5bTTBe8JpaH5KPSz5ZCtnZwZzwDeROdDHHXlwTCjk-mMFrceJa9qFlxcEhLbFIswOjGp042GjwUQCAfAg0dAHR7tSN0-Z-ydKyLYVnW/s1600/htr.jpg" height="548" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've also started selling on <a href="https://marketplace.asos.com/seller/frocktasia?tab=boutique" target="_blank">Asos Marketplace</a>. So far I've only added a few items and it's all stuff that I already had photos and descriptions for. As a wardrobe shop you are allowed to add up to a hundred items for free and Asos only take a 5% commission on sold items. I was just getting a bit fed up with eBay and fancied trying something different, we'll see how it goes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoR1qtp_EMty_XsFhrgZS5_4KekUHcqcB1uDHRAeEf_eSvmaiwOXi0DquQR3fAIVHNMTCh6zxZQ38KIkm5UK-NY7QfJVclWOBzxIzgJnNyNq7owB_0coFnBJROkwloWP42yA9R9GDl/s1600/wergyg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoR1qtp_EMty_XsFhrgZS5_4KekUHcqcB1uDHRAeEf_eSvmaiwOXi0DquQR3fAIVHNMTCh6zxZQ38KIkm5UK-NY7QfJVclWOBzxIzgJnNyNq7owB_0coFnBJROkwloWP42yA9R9GDl/s1600/wergyg.jpg" height="640" width="536" /></a></div>
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It's been a busy and productive week. I'm feeling very upbeat and excited about the future. Life is good!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKOfw3bJg52qD40oDvjlSfCPyFv9dmn9tFvr8i6GGpUwbg0gyaBmo6qGjkIIbNmTLecchkkQsmm2z0LITf0Q-ii6f-eXARH6qkapS-wNaXnFxLGTlg3YZtj_OzmS5Ap43hFNwJO_B/s1600/gery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKOfw3bJg52qD40oDvjlSfCPyFv9dmn9tFvr8i6GGpUwbg0gyaBmo6qGjkIIbNmTLecchkkQsmm2z0LITf0Q-ii6f-eXARH6qkapS-wNaXnFxLGTlg3YZtj_OzmS5Ap43hFNwJO_B/s1600/gery.jpg" height="640" width="430" /></a></div>
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On our way back home from the pub we stopped off at Aldi's to stock up on some more drinkies. At a bargain £1.35 a pop...I don't mind if I do, thank you very much!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkOeQ1ZJKGnj0bUC-ND8TvlV2okKf6qxFr3x9c0jDnKGqmq_zm-t53exv0KwvfnsAaF74sezPZ8X4DXMrz-T-dA_rSNKsNRnOQZH0SLgOWNLJHC0THVqOoXIR_TO1CfOHGC-_cJ0ZU/s1600/eyqwter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkOeQ1ZJKGnj0bUC-ND8TvlV2okKf6qxFr3x9c0jDnKGqmq_zm-t53exv0KwvfnsAaF74sezPZ8X4DXMrz-T-dA_rSNKsNRnOQZH0SLgOWNLJHC0THVqOoXIR_TO1CfOHGC-_cJ0ZU/s1600/eyqwter.jpg" height="486" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hope you are all having a fantastic weekend.</div>
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Loads of love,</div>
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Jennie</div>
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xXx</div>
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Frocktasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649180645331805365noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376530029828568772.post-10849348836004950742014-01-19T00:24:00.000+00:002014-01-19T11:45:03.309+00:00Fifteen minutes of frock fame<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mark and I took some time-out after moving. We needed it, the process had made big demands on us, both emotionally and physically. Thankfully we were able to take our time over things. </div>
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When we first moved up we went straight into hyper-drive trying to find a flat. </div>
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I'd trawl the net in the evening, Mark would arrange viewings in the morning and then off we would go traversing Glasgow, on the hunt for our new home. </div>
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Our budget was quite low so the quality of what was on offer was very often hugely disappointing. </div>
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Damp damaged buildings with signs reading 'No Loitering' nailed up above the entrance. A plethora of claustrophobic boltholes, riddled with mold, ripped woodchip & stained carpets.</div>
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After three stressful weeks we finally found a place that we could see ourselves in, it's not quite the five bedroom Victorian townhouse that I cosmically ordered but it's definitely the cream of the crop in our budget category.</div>
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I will give you a tour of the house at some point, just need to don a pair of marigolds first and get it up to Hello Magazine standard.</div>
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Over the past few days the wheels of productivity have slowly started turning again.</div>
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We've booked a market for Frocktasia's relaunch on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/478130458964400/" target="_blank">9th of February</a> . It is called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/littlebirdsmarket" target="_blank">Little Birds Market</a> and it is a monthly do held at an amazing venue here in Glasgow called <a href="http://www.sloansglasgow.com/" target="_blank">Sloanes</a>.</div>
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We've applied for a stall at another market called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GrannyWouldBeProud?fref=ts" target="_blank">Granny Would Be Proud</a> but it's yet to be confirmed. Today Mark and I took a little research trip to check out <a href="http://www.judysvintagefair.co.uk/" target="_blank">Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair</a> that was in Glasgow for the day and both of us agreed that it would be a great one to get in about next time it is in town.</div>
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So it's back in the saddle for me and to be honest, after all this "time-off" I'm feeling well and truly up for it.</div>
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In my last post I promised that I'd share the pics that Mark and I took on our micro roadtrip to Largs. I played around with them on <a href="http://www.picmonkey.com/" target="_blank">PicMonkey</a> (that I still use religiously). As a complete Jennie Pinchpenny I still haven't upgraded to Royal but I have to confess, that of late I have been sorely tempted. For some reason the wretched skin under my eyes has decided to not just puff but also wrinkle up and some days it looks as if I've super glued skincoloured raisins underneath my eyes. I feel the need for some PicMonkey surgery. Are any of you lovely peeps using PicMonkey Royal and if so what do you think of it?</div>
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Anyroad the pics...these were taken en route from Largs to Greenock by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firth_of_Clyde" style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: 'Josefin Sans'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.64000129699707px;" target="_blank">Firth of Clyde</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Josefin Sans'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.64000129699707px;"> in North Ayrshire. </span>We shot two frocks, the first one is an Indian dress that I picked up from Holloway market a few years ago and the second is a stunning 70s Jean Varon frock that I scored at a car boot sale last year.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip887c2-G9onW5_wKULfQ9w-wqIbBqK1qgVJpNHUb_kqReh6kMbYJM3Vf5po_10OfmgDZqdJrKwqNHEFuvOiMbj7Rlrl3y9PvPlzICSeLLI9UuEXZI4NVyHt6uJF7eOIpPzdnS3Je7/s1600/sdfkjh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip887c2-G9onW5_wKULfQ9w-wqIbBqK1qgVJpNHUb_kqReh6kMbYJM3Vf5po_10OfmgDZqdJrKwqNHEFuvOiMbj7Rlrl3y9PvPlzICSeLLI9UuEXZI4NVyHt6uJF7eOIpPzdnS3Je7/s640/sdfkjh.jpg" height="640" width="546" /></a></div>
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Hope you liked them? We are hoping to do plenty more of these wee photo sessions in the future. There are so many stunning backdrops to take advantage of nearby to us and so many frocks yearning for their fifteen minutes of fame here on the blog.</div>
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Hope you are having a lovely weekend.</div>
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Loads of love,</div>
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Jennie</div>
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xXx</div>
Frocktasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649180645331805365noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376530029828568772.post-86867975115478560872014-01-10T20:47:00.000+00:002016-06-30T23:08:39.055+01:00Costa del cloud<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Surprised to see me back so soon? </div>
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I did promise to blog a bit more frequently, didn't I?! </div>
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So here I am with my second blog offering of the year which (I hasten to add) will be significantly shorter than the last one (sigh of relief ).</div>
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Firstly I'd like to say thank you to the awesome peeps that took the time to leave such lovely comments on my last post, you all gave me a real shot in the arm after my extended hiatus. To be honest I hadn't planned to take such a long break from blogging but our move saw one week seamlessly glide into the next and before I knew it almost five months had gone by....it happens, that's life! Any road it is very heartwarming to feel welcomed back after a long break and it makes me feel even more excited about getting back into the saddle.</div>
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This week we borrowed a relatives's car while she's away working in London and we've been making good use of it. On Monday we swung past IKEA for their sale, on Wednesday we did a quick restock run to the storage place where we now keep the majority of our clobber and yesterday we drove out to the coast to snap some pics.</div>
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We stopped off in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Largs" target="_blank">Largs</a> for a poke of chips that we shared with the gulls...</div>
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According to Wikipedia (and my mother-in-law) Largs is a popular seaside resort on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firth_of_Clyde" target="_blank">Firth of Clyde</a> in North Ayrshire, roughly 33 miles from Glasgow.</div>
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Like so many of our beloved British seaside gems it is probably much more exciting when visited during the summer months, yesterday it displayed a definite vibe of hibernation.</div>
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It made me think of a ' <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lightning_Seeds" target="_blank">The Lightening Seeds</a>' song called 'Sense', there is a line that goes "Feels like I'm living in a town closed down for winter"...it felt a bit like that.</div>
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Hanging out with the gulls on the shore, was definitely where it was at!</div>
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Yesterday was the first day in ages that it wasn't pissing down or blowing a hoolie, so I made sure that I was out of bed before noon so that we could go for a spin. We'd planned to have a photo session up in the Highlands over Christmas but severe dreich weather conditions scuppered those plans. Despite it being a wee bit nippy yesterday we still managed to shoot a couple of frocks with the stunning Firth of Clyde as a backdrop. I'll share this little photo session in the next post as I've yet to edit most of the pics.</div>
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We took some fannying about pics too...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQXupjepU_M6SaSK9EAsp0KxMo3nzD-nk62ENlBZt4YwEz6tNrz_x4VYZny37o87ZiCXOUQPuLawr8TjlpVAMnmFNhMMjhSi7ZAZFHj_x98rQLqF8NiaSadI-ENIxi9P2W8Y7yiFO/s1600/dsgfry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQXupjepU_M6SaSK9EAsp0KxMo3nzD-nk62ENlBZt4YwEz6tNrz_x4VYZny37o87ZiCXOUQPuLawr8TjlpVAMnmFNhMMjhSi7ZAZFHj_x98rQLqF8NiaSadI-ENIxi9P2W8Y7yiFO/s1600/dsgfry.jpg" width="464" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark wore his favourite Pachamama top that I bought for him at the Holloway car boot sale.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>My get-up:</u><br />
Vintage 60s psychedelic print dress<br />
Plain and net layered tights<br />
Faux-fur trimmed PVC coat<br />
DM boots<br />
Frocktasia bag<br />
Necklace bought in Greece<br />
Retro sunnies</td></tr>
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No doubt we'll return to Largs in the summertime, perhaps even daring to bring a couple of beach towels, who knows?! </div>
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Hope your weekend has got off to a fabulous start peeps.</div>
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Have a good one :)</div>
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I'll leave you with that tune that was spinning through my head yesterday...</div>
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Loads of love,</div>
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Jennie</div>
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xXx </div>
Frocktasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649180645331805365noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376530029828568772.post-26240026427713585822014-01-06T01:57:00.004+00:002014-01-13T18:40:17.618+00:00A year of change and challenges<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's been almost five months since I last blogged and in that time I have slain an albatross and moved cities.</div>
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Back in July our landlord of twelve years announced that they were putting the rent up to bring it in line with the local going rate. Although it was annoyingly untimely, as we had just saved up enough money to do our Rescue Diver Course with Dive Wimbledon, it was something that we had anticipated happening for quite some time. </div>
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In all the years we'd only ever had one rent hike and that was back in 2006, so I guess one could argue that it was long overdue. However after fourteen years of slogging away just to pay the rent and bills in London, Mark and I decided that enough was enough, it was time to go. I felt surprisingly ready for it and Mark felt more than ready to move on.</div>
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Anyone who is familiar with my blog offerings will know that we had our work cut out with the move. </div>
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Years and years of religiously attending car boot sales and scouring charity shops for treasure and then squirreling it all away, cramming and jamming stuff into every available nook and cranny in our abode.</div>
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Shifting the trash and packing treasure (not to mention deciding which was which) was a task of epic proportions. We worked like mean machines for three months to get it all done.</div>
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Six weekends of hardcore selling at the Princess May car boot sale, several motherloads of clobber, books and bits on eBay, two council collections of bulky goods, umpteen trips to the local charity shops with donations and equally as many trips to the clothing & textile recycling bank.</div>
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We got rid of heaps of stuff and I feel tremendously happy about that :)</div>
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The move took place over three weekends, we hired a big van, drove up to Glasgow overnight, off loaded the gear into storage and back down again. </div>
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We left the flat in Finsbury Park for the last time on the 18th of October, then we stayed with a wonderful friend here in Glasgow until we found our new gaff.</div>
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We are slowly getting settled in, reconnecting with old friends and finding new stomping grounds for ourselves.</div>
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2013 was a year of change and challenges for us, 2014 will be a year of building a solid foundation and making a new life here in Scotland, I'm looking forward to it.</div>
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....and I will be a certified rescue diver before this year is over!!!</div>
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Now for a massive medley of pics, some of my memorable moments, people and places of 2013 :)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The year was brought in with a bang on Koh Lanta in Thailand before we headed off to beautiful Langkawi in Malaysia for a week.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CqFDyUm8_C13nPftOOmbJkXxShkykVvXJkoOYpJ5MBgbgqyePLn-V1I6l1_32NJpMptycSRCfPEJwnPQ6ooW_gzon05gRry283-Be8Ll-x11I7gUtxhbnLr3XLUA7p5VmgWjVvxZ/s1600/2013+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CqFDyUm8_C13nPftOOmbJkXxShkykVvXJkoOYpJ5MBgbgqyePLn-V1I6l1_32NJpMptycSRCfPEJwnPQ6ooW_gzon05gRry283-Be8Ll-x11I7gUtxhbnLr3XLUA7p5VmgWjVvxZ/s640/2013+(1).jpg" width="528" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Langkawi - January 2013</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JW_PCzlSDuaCjxrgfNpqwv9wKckHqjIeZNkO5mghp-2RzgI2u6dFONfgYzZsBc_-wQRhkeX09deEkfdn0qYuYzoxpgf01bl2fiq_Gr6LkFabSsYF1cg3JfMM4o4a0RBS_UIRdj2t/s1600/2013+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JW_PCzlSDuaCjxrgfNpqwv9wKckHqjIeZNkO5mghp-2RzgI2u6dFONfgYzZsBc_-wQRhkeX09deEkfdn0qYuYzoxpgf01bl2fiq_Gr6LkFabSsYF1cg3JfMM4o4a0RBS_UIRdj2t/s640/2013+(2).jpg" width="378" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Langkawi - January 2013</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifE0Dp3A5QRylpko8IqWfKMMcZfQw5ou_xaOlecjoMyD1-vIOlXIYGRoFsGx-k_iueng92AmHm0ckppR-RDA1_ZMDxPs4-QN7HHhAND8aewq156xIRMnoVTFuICUMyskzAnOPoxcZx/s1600/2013+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifE0Dp3A5QRylpko8IqWfKMMcZfQw5ou_xaOlecjoMyD1-vIOlXIYGRoFsGx-k_iueng92AmHm0ckppR-RDA1_ZMDxPs4-QN7HHhAND8aewq156xIRMnoVTFuICUMyskzAnOPoxcZx/s640/2013+(3).jpg" width="516" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We visited Mark's cousin who works on the 42nd floor of Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur and took in a few of the cities temples before returning to a snow clad London. I also managed to bag my EFR certificate last year in readiness for the Rescue Diver Course that never came to pass...GRRRRRRRRRRR!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1X1br7q-24MScJjyKinMj6lsxfK4pDcgOUsyaJpOVUTWSze-8ShRWATRbHcLdmNbLeQ8v_HoUiwoUjVdLIYj_nFSJ94IjK22RqOS0F3zKS0r1KZElMOCZyhAlr6LrhnTaF6AyJsc/s1600/2013+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1X1br7q-24MScJjyKinMj6lsxfK4pDcgOUsyaJpOVUTWSze-8ShRWATRbHcLdmNbLeQ8v_HoUiwoUjVdLIYj_nFSJ94IjK22RqOS0F3zKS0r1KZElMOCZyhAlr6LrhnTaF6AyJsc/s640/2013+(4).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was fab to have snow in London :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2mT29kd49aafA9aZBU-nC8oKHcOsCh4wWhtuj_zjFkT1aVh_rlLBj-DRIsFW9oV9uekiKO8OD0vW0xo9daY9ylnpusLYODd2cuy2xvOXyooY1HE_0AMgWYgR-itBuXoL3084v3Im/s1600/2013+(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2mT29kd49aafA9aZBU-nC8oKHcOsCh4wWhtuj_zjFkT1aVh_rlLBj-DRIsFW9oV9uekiKO8OD0vW0xo9daY9ylnpusLYODd2cuy2xvOXyooY1HE_0AMgWYgR-itBuXoL3084v3Im/s640/2013+(5).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lilo the beautiful little Canada Goose that we became very attached to.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JrN4wxEePYEG_Dqn91Vbdvm0RLTXs7uyAoATNhwRU0lTeH1LHgUX5zjqtBuwO8Iv9wA1X5akEMn2fhNlK2H7hC8GwWSY1e0zkTHtCiytJcZv8cWKS8ewtptkukv-dObLLWEo36h1/s1600/2013+(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JrN4wxEePYEG_Dqn91Vbdvm0RLTXs7uyAoATNhwRU0lTeH1LHgUX5zjqtBuwO8Iv9wA1X5akEMn2fhNlK2H7hC8GwWSY1e0zkTHtCiytJcZv8cWKS8ewtptkukv-dObLLWEo36h1/s640/2013+(6).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The park became our second home last year. Every day we would go up to the pond (aka Finsbury Park boating lake) and feed our feathered friends.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NQOO2gWGX0gbGBlwAInii7BxDgWG_VSxjmUsu6doYsbYVJdSkYB0tRegmt2xLX2haW2TfDBcellCbQG63n4CSOGOGLSX7hEnlfmcQzszFELgpiGy0gvS5OGlqQjPGtSBsjVqOZBh/s1600/2013+(7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NQOO2gWGX0gbGBlwAInii7BxDgWG_VSxjmUsu6doYsbYVJdSkYB0tRegmt2xLX2haW2TfDBcellCbQG63n4CSOGOGLSX7hEnlfmcQzszFELgpiGy0gvS5OGlqQjPGtSBsjVqOZBh/s640/2013+(7).jpg" width="590" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seed in the winter and fresh grass in the summer.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lCs7kN8KejSBLXaGKAqjxyoWhlNPWh0eAQerGRiuCk_MDZvbYLxw9YWtkxaSLLvcRwlAfMffCt-HmZgdqtD6EPjJOlHxC63xzQFZkM5qiSs_178JNI__uIFLove9_VdGCRD8OTu1/s1600/2013+(8).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lCs7kN8KejSBLXaGKAqjxyoWhlNPWh0eAQerGRiuCk_MDZvbYLxw9YWtkxaSLLvcRwlAfMffCt-HmZgdqtD6EPjJOlHxC63xzQFZkM5qiSs_178JNI__uIFLove9_VdGCRD8OTu1/s640/2013+(8).jpg" width="632" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was lovely to see the little babies grow :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UOpqle5yrRvwlbOnTrkqNb274317BmikRS54JSzmxdq1gN9KguTdFU5X7YsOyZDD18RmGLvGF8wfbCLr3qH8Vx9mB6IGt6UHn7hROQLDi3AyIYLRdoRCpBN-MjqZRq7f5zPnL-aY/s1600/2013+(9).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UOpqle5yrRvwlbOnTrkqNb274317BmikRS54JSzmxdq1gN9KguTdFU5X7YsOyZDD18RmGLvGF8wfbCLr3qH8Vx9mB6IGt6UHn7hROQLDi3AyIYLRdoRCpBN-MjqZRq7f5zPnL-aY/s640/2013+(9).jpg" width="584" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In February we took Frocktasia on the road for the very first time, selling our threads at the Can't Buy Me Love Vintage Jumble at The Boogaloo. This is were we first met Leslie and found out about her fabulous Dandy Lion Market, that also became a staple in the Frocktasia selling calender.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooatWkcVJ9QlltRlLh_bynYP88l-mYxmhFGSWJee_lX89UIIh_XvzAneVmvnmauE782xIRKfIZPCzNUEA0-U3hAyIIiRAzGhUB1ZXYZjHO7J0V4NnmVZW7xFJyEpIlsfFXm44dsMb/s1600/2013+(10).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooatWkcVJ9QlltRlLh_bynYP88l-mYxmhFGSWJee_lX89UIIh_XvzAneVmvnmauE782xIRKfIZPCzNUEA0-U3hAyIIiRAzGhUB1ZXYZjHO7J0V4NnmVZW7xFJyEpIlsfFXm44dsMb/s640/2013+(10).jpg" width="634" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We met so many lovely people through doing the markets last year. Leslie was incredibly supportive and made my transition from on-line to face-to-face sales a delight. She's a true inspiration!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8P1oevba_r2B5Aj_59QmoNDZV-kGNF2D3JbQn9H9feDuTK_VkixWHpWJUzsCIBSdL7kx3ZThZC0NRi2nlY4l6aavYNa0NiUQ2m4Uj6poHnWhTkj6ZyThqgfdP8uv9-QHgDRRctyjW/s1600/2013+(11).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8P1oevba_r2B5Aj_59QmoNDZV-kGNF2D3JbQn9H9feDuTK_VkixWHpWJUzsCIBSdL7kx3ZThZC0NRi2nlY4l6aavYNa0NiUQ2m4Uj6poHnWhTkj6ZyThqgfdP8uv9-QHgDRRctyjW/s640/2013+(11).jpg" width="584" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I miss not being able to take part in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Dandy-Lion-Market/165313296862777?fref=ts" target="_blank">The Dandy Lion Market</a>, so many fab & talented creative folk. If you happen to be in London on Saturday the 11th this month there's a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/487086094742642/" target="_blank">DLM Vintage & Rummage Sale </a>on for you to go to, fabulous!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3GRLtGQQpoDPzZNvtO0ziGvcC2qTvwDtz_LWUdfjWiRyzPDNqGwjp8ZWR2fC1JSZ4rSU6HiC2GdNNHa_w9ohVWpoGXzKnQvP47K4OKFx8docNOh1Se_tCTuaewvtSsuOV3tEkpG-k/s1600/2013+(12).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3GRLtGQQpoDPzZNvtO0ziGvcC2qTvwDtz_LWUdfjWiRyzPDNqGwjp8ZWR2fC1JSZ4rSU6HiC2GdNNHa_w9ohVWpoGXzKnQvP47K4OKFx8docNOh1Se_tCTuaewvtSsuOV3tEkpG-k/s640/2013+(12).jpg" width="606" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More pics from the Dandy and two from the car booting marathon we did in the run up to the big move.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIZzF1OBecdx3q4yygLRN25i4YUxb9D2iqKBq_TThePFWGMqRI12_jU-ai9fAw9LjoPxYreg6EldFSU9TuNW5B64LOKh9Q4q_3M-3kOKE4n8VWakBCbsDOlXpkd1r8ZSWwZZLdUv-/s1600/2013+(13).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIZzF1OBecdx3q4yygLRN25i4YUxb9D2iqKBq_TThePFWGMqRI12_jU-ai9fAw9LjoPxYreg6EldFSU9TuNW5B64LOKh9Q4q_3M-3kOKE4n8VWakBCbsDOlXpkd1r8ZSWwZZLdUv-/s640/2013+(13).jpg" width="584" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I met Sam from <a href="http://www.tangled-wigs.com/" target="_blank">Tangled Wigs</a> at one of the Dandies and when she asked if I wanted to rock up with a rail at a <a href="http://www.clicsargent.org.uk/content/wig-wednesday-0" target="_blank">Wig Wednesday</a> event that she was organizing I didn't hesitate a second. The proceeds went to the brilliant <a href="http://www.clicsargent.org.uk/" target="_blank">CLIC Sargent</a> children's cancer charity.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOD8jpXL9_6Q5EHAcByLAWrsTHl95UToWb5q-4PvS7t2WGl-wFKvxFn8sWjGZvp4Nxu-LLuXbLDWXMfTKwr7uWQtXs5WpVNsc0HFje0FXA3K1YxojAHgNdQNtnVFnRwac8OShkFwmV/s1600/2013+(16).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOD8jpXL9_6Q5EHAcByLAWrsTHl95UToWb5q-4PvS7t2WGl-wFKvxFn8sWjGZvp4Nxu-LLuXbLDWXMfTKwr7uWQtXs5WpVNsc0HFje0FXA3K1YxojAHgNdQNtnVFnRwac8OShkFwmV/s640/2013+(16).jpg" width="634" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's some other fabulous and talented folk that I met this year. Michael Palmer of <a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/superfullmoon" target="_blank">Super Full Moon</a>, <a href="http://www.faithtaylor.net/home" target="_blank">Faith Taylor </a>who I did a wee photo session with and Leslie's lovely son <a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/mobilephonenotes" target="_blank">Erik Rutterford</a>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsa07TbifxUbofIYb14BIWXkXPrHsVAcFwC79t2nPOSlI5GNkpcAIbyhUBPdBrb82dXht60aHbW0QvDFkvDW3HYQLQr6JR_pbtO7zcIb-iYZsM-uAYllNzfBLhcwvQgV1_-e3k5nA/s1600/2013+(17).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsa07TbifxUbofIYb14BIWXkXPrHsVAcFwC79t2nPOSlI5GNkpcAIbyhUBPdBrb82dXht60aHbW0QvDFkvDW3HYQLQr6JR_pbtO7zcIb-iYZsM-uAYllNzfBLhcwvQgV1_-e3k5nA/s640/2013+(17).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike invited Leslie & I to set up a wee vintage market at his fabulous Mini Festival at The Finsbury. Unfortunately I only got to do one of them before I had to divert all my efforts to organizing the move.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTU_-0cIC07HDJcJBdRfTCMTdU-S3dy6LqpjyDWiASysjtzUSv5QYlULQrILtU9aox5EDiAf7HqcEv9lXXPVWbddw-0kuT-4ucmcv5DXgwULy8kLbwVWgequvsl8l5VSCL-4BcvnVu/s1600/2013+(18).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTU_-0cIC07HDJcJBdRfTCMTdU-S3dy6LqpjyDWiASysjtzUSv5QYlULQrILtU9aox5EDiAf7HqcEv9lXXPVWbddw-0kuT-4ucmcv5DXgwULy8kLbwVWgequvsl8l5VSCL-4BcvnVu/s640/2013+(18).jpg" width="518" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More fabby peeps that I had the pleasure to meet in 2013...Samantha from <a href="http://www.tangled-wigs.com/" target="_blank">Tangled Wigs</a>, <a href="http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0154/9685/files/TANGLED_Magazine.pdf?504" target="_blank">Natasha</a>, Camilla from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/acertainjenesaisquoi" target="_blank">Mind The Book</a> and the very lovely Sara from <a href="http://www.hellothemushroom.com/" target="_blank">Hello The Mushroom</a>. Sara came to our first ever outing at CBML and bought this <a href="http://www.hellothemushroom.com/2013/12/30/italo-disco/" target="_blank">redilicious ra-ra frock</a> :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivC31hgH3JbHpe_y1IKj7SyzCullVK3Ui90RGUu8XQ4wuOO_ZNa8eCrk1pyAoxEfcqCrXgGmmtHZHHRJrxBqUH7fAedgYfDq9MuF96flzqTdJFQFa-J_z9iHWK6p8ROZQ-aDOKPEsI/s1600/2013+(19).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivC31hgH3JbHpe_y1IKj7SyzCullVK3Ui90RGUu8XQ4wuOO_ZNa8eCrk1pyAoxEfcqCrXgGmmtHZHHRJrxBqUH7fAedgYfDq9MuF96flzqTdJFQFa-J_z9iHWK6p8ROZQ-aDOKPEsI/s640/2013+(19).jpg" width="548" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I feel so blessed that our last year in London was a thoroughly awesome one, talk about ending on a high note.<br />
In June we went to Sue's 60th, which was the best party night of the year by far. Sue and Mark are truly lovely people.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3e_anJ4Q0IO9yTYT-3l9o4y2OsQ3HtH6VTaYsJzLCbn-au5JUBZPNZfHBnw6q6sv6D0np6DmyNtaZcIddRwPT4hHU_6549cm5jcHlCdJ9ltd9C3x1GP3AfI1_4Cw1ObcDWX-uGCh1/s1600/2013+(20).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3e_anJ4Q0IO9yTYT-3l9o4y2OsQ3HtH6VTaYsJzLCbn-au5JUBZPNZfHBnw6q6sv6D0np6DmyNtaZcIddRwPT4hHU_6549cm5jcHlCdJ9ltd9C3x1GP3AfI1_4Cw1ObcDWX-uGCh1/s640/2013+(20).jpg" width="530" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The delightful Joellen of J<a href="http://www.joyatri.com/" target="_blank">oyatri's Adventures In Vintage </a>hooked up with me a few times when she was over in London and we did some fun stuff together :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WrQrN9nXm15TGub3Y-f7MnkEuH0K4D5fviNxYXEl3qltKRPRZe3jngrcxtQ2PRwtCZELFtsn3Jx_G0wywfNZDMw72GNr7YWmM1Z5KmClKEKRWErO501N55oQ1Xtv_b6ZK9GuDGR9/s1600/2013+(14).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WrQrN9nXm15TGub3Y-f7MnkEuH0K4D5fviNxYXEl3qltKRPRZe3jngrcxtQ2PRwtCZELFtsn3Jx_G0wywfNZDMw72GNr7YWmM1Z5KmClKEKRWErO501N55oQ1Xtv_b6ZK9GuDGR9/s640/2013+(14).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter was spent in a very freezing Edinburgh. My sister popped over from Sweden and we had a few lovely days together. Mark bought a trusty new two-wheeled steed, beats a chocolate egg any day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiydkzfOIO7dUCgXAK3UsonHPJJlDmOnZStBjvX13ul2oB_UkjhxHd_f8EyxVbRkK0z6tFPgoHkcAv_SjhmEj9zJ1CwNNrp7vuPdCBk_0IbzcDx81Sjd2MJm1trrt5TUultY0c-bgk/s1600/2013+%252815%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiydkzfOIO7dUCgXAK3UsonHPJJlDmOnZStBjvX13ul2oB_UkjhxHd_f8EyxVbRkK0z6tFPgoHkcAv_SjhmEj9zJ1CwNNrp7vuPdCBk_0IbzcDx81Sjd2MJm1trrt5TUultY0c-bgk/s640/2013+%252815%2529.jpg" width="530" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In June I had a reunion. A dear friend of mine from my school days came and stayed for a long weekend. Lots of wine, reminiscing and laughter. I hope we can arrange another meet-up this year. Zandra's husband is one of Sweden's most highly rated tattooists and they own a studio called <a href="http://www.heavenlyink.se/" target="_blank">Heavenly Ink</a> and my husband is gagging for more ink.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDuorGtIUafKeFPDy6X0ih61PCfuSR4qzTTtodt20hjtvcPBJ6qIQ7iJr6VKnkRX_LcmujX2PyyP_DSzZAjus67k-wL1WxlUISnkvAHnijMvSgKDIhwRn7V0kXQmPkLfEfgLErTIu/s1600/2013+(21).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDuorGtIUafKeFPDy6X0ih61PCfuSR4qzTTtodt20hjtvcPBJ6qIQ7iJr6VKnkRX_LcmujX2PyyP_DSzZAjus67k-wL1WxlUISnkvAHnijMvSgKDIhwRn7V0kXQmPkLfEfgLErTIu/s640/2013+(21).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of April saw another trip up to Scotland for mum's 70th and we took the opportunity to sneak in a couple of photo sessions while we were there.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTzBXO0QyiXX9QnFPSz7qCNjBNIQZylInugyafAKmMZKpcdH7SxWQBNVqqtuflp0KnGp9xdcbiAZBc4HyiXM804AR-ZjuC4ikoQaKlabKx9IhRWYFls6jNHPBoDWwfmrVlWJQ-aAZ/s1600/2013+(22).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTzBXO0QyiXX9QnFPSz7qCNjBNIQZylInugyafAKmMZKpcdH7SxWQBNVqqtuflp0KnGp9xdcbiAZBc4HyiXM804AR-ZjuC4ikoQaKlabKx9IhRWYFls6jNHPBoDWwfmrVlWJQ-aAZ/s640/2013+(22).jpg" width="590" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More wine (or in my case Fraoch), reminiscing and laughter.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOQHUcPeFb80B8J7uuSWdKHJZaLmpRr3TZO4zu3JIdFqvrIa3w7jyUC1Lyy9cLCsvNHXkfklJoSfe0etVIa52h3hKONbk88_5zjrrCnN52cZX-KWqgFO5nm80bkqL2k6iiRSw-LzW/s1600/2013+(23).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOQHUcPeFb80B8J7uuSWdKHJZaLmpRr3TZO4zu3JIdFqvrIa3w7jyUC1Lyy9cLCsvNHXkfklJoSfe0etVIa52h3hKONbk88_5zjrrCnN52cZX-KWqgFO5nm80bkqL2k6iiRSw-LzW/s640/2013+(23).jpg" width="548" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like I mentioned before last year the park became our second home. I'd have the cooler bag primed with goodies and ready to go for when Mark returned from work and off we'd traipse via the pond to a nice spot to dine al fresco and laze about in the sun.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfc7EaomPWoWzlcYNYrOHOCpGaYqIhNpMF0UoH1rGwM02gl_ZyUussOC0Z_pU2HLJH_33gSvB_HKliZQzUC052uf6tpBB5yoHl2ld1xgUZHQMrbgbWIGJsjOBXAeU8qfKcwy7wyQBf/s1600/right+trousers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfc7EaomPWoWzlcYNYrOHOCpGaYqIhNpMF0UoH1rGwM02gl_ZyUussOC0Z_pU2HLJH_33gSvB_HKliZQzUC052uf6tpBB5yoHl2ld1xgUZHQMrbgbWIGJsjOBXAeU8qfKcwy7wyQBf/s1600/right+trousers.jpg" width="516" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Staple diet: lots of raw stuff, marks home-made bean dips, fruit and the odd bit of pasta or cooked veggies.<br />
We ate like vegetarian kings so we did!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5M_28KZdla04VulDMSox4vr27VQjR9UdXGTvrtzlaXxWw0IKHSSVXDwDMoMW-gbi6lRuXgsKM_X0eaGE1A_fwpdSkw7OxOMOWMf7UerWLlTU1tsjlZdekytsbkFUR84KmOyXmBTG/s1600/2013+(25).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5M_28KZdla04VulDMSox4vr27VQjR9UdXGTvrtzlaXxWw0IKHSSVXDwDMoMW-gbi6lRuXgsKM_X0eaGE1A_fwpdSkw7OxOMOWMf7UerWLlTU1tsjlZdekytsbkFUR84KmOyXmBTG/s640/2013+(25).jpg" width="516" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also in July more parky malarkey with Marky, a days diving at Wraysbury, we went to see two of my former workmates act in a play at the Southwark Playhouse.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4GgpMfQTBc0wvbeL-s8O7109knjTpNkJtmiLWsA8NgcgKLHEgTgMUuXSZVVJdxs26bwKhGPH46F9fIB7V0OB7Y-e4e2PTpCcnVF6bNtOB34nCEhbhluyukBX8dYx_M3ZYrQC19Hl/s1600/2013+(26).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4GgpMfQTBc0wvbeL-s8O7109knjTpNkJtmiLWsA8NgcgKLHEgTgMUuXSZVVJdxs26bwKhGPH46F9fIB7V0OB7Y-e4e2PTpCcnVF6bNtOB34nCEhbhluyukBX8dYx_M3ZYrQC19Hl/s640/2013+(26).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made some very special pidgy friends over the summer. Pipkin (top left) had had a close encounter with a fox or a cat and was missing all his rear feathers and couldn't use one leg when he came to us but with some TLC and plenty of sunflower seeds (his favourite) he soon made a full recovery. Squeeker (top right) liked to sneak into the kitchen when nobody was looking and would sit and squeak outside the door until he got someones attention and a handful of seeds. Speckled Jim (bottom left) is an endurance tippler pigeon that had come from someone in Birmingham, he landed on our balcony at the end of August and integrated himself with the flock. We tried to re-home him but didn't have much luck with that .By the time we left London he seemed to have fully established himself within the group. Scraggle (bottom right) would sit on the balcony ledge and make noises until someone would come and hand feed him, he was the bravest of the lot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEganZEbMWT1FgBwFcKZPf_tQOR0QsOcHDzNpEIhJvcC8sEt06RHEyCcC22qaSU1JRwCjkg3wUnvSfh6nO57j0A6rawTTz_Bgi3n6UdpNOnY6s-QRIOhPFuiQtH7n4dPX175CQgNnqVK/s1600/2013+(27).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEganZEbMWT1FgBwFcKZPf_tQOR0QsOcHDzNpEIhJvcC8sEt06RHEyCcC22qaSU1JRwCjkg3wUnvSfh6nO57j0A6rawTTz_Bgi3n6UdpNOnY6s-QRIOhPFuiQtH7n4dPX175CQgNnqVK/s640/2013+(27).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really miss my pigeon friends.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TAA3MPZe2OKtAygXVNNEHUcZTmz03Cu50IuGmgCNugdoOw18NnSxS3iul7KE9_MmYZ2r2_3ulT0UCsHrNrpLQWg9trFElu0SAUJi1AHnvgaNKhoBqdzcTF0nvsLixPMhegM1aibh/s1600/2013+(28).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TAA3MPZe2OKtAygXVNNEHUcZTmz03Cu50IuGmgCNugdoOw18NnSxS3iul7KE9_MmYZ2r2_3ulT0UCsHrNrpLQWg9trFElu0SAUJi1AHnvgaNKhoBqdzcTF0nvsLixPMhegM1aibh/s640/2013+(28).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What will I miss about London? The awesome people I am privileged to call my friends, the fabulous balcony overlooking overgrown gardens with the occasional fox sighting, the park and pond, some amazing sunsets from my home-office and all the lovely birds.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx17A2JDqMx5XVvsRjM0MOCP6ZoWJNdC5_PoNQhjRuYmzRAn7cP5Uu9PCOT-XMvZDHjd4rLzx000snYfB9ODqGZKEXDQVI2udt4dhTZJitwJTerf8R6CPMAysVqGIEYksN7sjH7lvz/s1600/2013+(29).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx17A2JDqMx5XVvsRjM0MOCP6ZoWJNdC5_PoNQhjRuYmzRAn7cP5Uu9PCOT-XMvZDHjd4rLzx000snYfB9ODqGZKEXDQVI2udt4dhTZJitwJTerf8R6CPMAysVqGIEYksN7sjH7lvz/s640/2013+(29).jpg" width="488" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the midst of moving, that mountain of books behind me all went to charity shops...that was a back breaking few days I can tell you!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3o0jWmi-_ZqlCf_GRlwjN9Izt0OKT71iTvzIAFC7dT94bhvzjlI3Gik5l3IR6Fln4aKqyRGq-H4JSiBkm046dYVD0vf7ze5nS3Cg4MnkU8Em61HyJNCkMho8aISUnfFXi7eTuVyDt/s1600/2013+(30).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3o0jWmi-_ZqlCf_GRlwjN9Izt0OKT71iTvzIAFC7dT94bhvzjlI3Gik5l3IR6Fln4aKqyRGq-H4JSiBkm046dYVD0vf7ze5nS3Cg4MnkU8Em61HyJNCkMho8aISUnfFXi7eTuVyDt/s640/2013+(30).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bye, Bye London...Hello Glasgow!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvRVeKTjHmqil854hiTbSlHWqORdCu19X-QdDDt0o3Kd_8mseTYHVP8zU4KBcNmEQF14vSYxnO8AlLpRLZ-AGuIQ2LQMDRzX0-2jLjcyKaRQH6gs8Pokx5vax-8s7A3myx1T2JLLa/s1600/2013+(31).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvRVeKTjHmqil854hiTbSlHWqORdCu19X-QdDDt0o3Kd_8mseTYHVP8zU4KBcNmEQF14vSYxnO8AlLpRLZ-AGuIQ2LQMDRzX0-2jLjcyKaRQH6gs8Pokx5vax-8s7A3myx1T2JLLa/s640/2013+(31).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark is not so much an emigrant as a returning lost son of the old country and just in time for this years Scottish Independence Referendum...lets toast that with a skinful of Bucky.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGXn1n5DLyVoPSmKYaadBLe8P6F1J1zqPx_W1JgjCLpzGzlXVVFqlXv4TEmoy080KayLldMLG8yBslouAycAb1LG9yUv3xciwTiotdxIbFUbEQLCwJXfsQwDm8-iMqIu_gvC60q78/s1600/2013+(32).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGXn1n5DLyVoPSmKYaadBLe8P6F1J1zqPx_W1JgjCLpzGzlXVVFqlXv4TEmoy080KayLldMLG8yBslouAycAb1LG9yUv3xciwTiotdxIbFUbEQLCwJXfsQwDm8-iMqIu_gvC60q78/s640/2013+(32).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lovely Antonia that so very kindly put us up for our first three weeks in Glasvegas. Here we are enjoying her friends belly-dancing show at a Egyptian restaurant on Halloween. A wee pic of our new house, complete with kitschy roaring faux-fire :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvK64M5mmaQ-VmgB16WSXuB9pjNzrScWHEZfT9SKku2qtXQ3GIM5121aSuomyd3lf3i-7qN8TPgu6NXn2oeb_swAaFE_s5J3Hary_YpaChwJ7wo0FzC6ZADQhbslqKnR40EBNU3HHn/s1600/2013+(33).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvK64M5mmaQ-VmgB16WSXuB9pjNzrScWHEZfT9SKku2qtXQ3GIM5121aSuomyd3lf3i-7qN8TPgu6NXn2oeb_swAaFE_s5J3Hary_YpaChwJ7wo0FzC6ZADQhbslqKnR40EBNU3HHn/s640/2013+(33).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I chummed Antonia to her hometown of Dumfries to see her mother and friends do some choral singing, they were brilliant.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXmPckLYpQIfGzR_Du0zsIidb9XyTpbtKMoSKoW3BK0ALq4HWxlSZRFx9hk9Y-cZl4lcIyyRXB0vs328tQG91Fu6KN9taJQmRKScn2YiKcvPosVB82poUfwwpN4B7Cv8Xn6N2asfu/s1600/2013+(34).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXmPckLYpQIfGzR_Du0zsIidb9XyTpbtKMoSKoW3BK0ALq4HWxlSZRFx9hk9Y-cZl4lcIyyRXB0vs328tQG91Fu6KN9taJQmRKScn2YiKcvPosVB82poUfwwpN4B7Cv8Xn6N2asfu/s640/2013+(34).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A couple of weeks later we went back down to the borders to fetch Mark's mother after her stay at Kagyu Samye Ling, Tibetan Buddhist Centre.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVq7c0_UrCAwH7_3xjCOaZ0p8IEFMTACOvUkoCt7EGaehuOposSRMPVwONyrsR8_G_2F4uYtxl1fdaGNKGHJb4iUR8Anc_0V9T3U-WYGfdORPsXR_T_kuIXDPhFcMA-hEERuU1lyY/s1600/2013+(35).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVq7c0_UrCAwH7_3xjCOaZ0p8IEFMTACOvUkoCt7EGaehuOposSRMPVwONyrsR8_G_2F4uYtxl1fdaGNKGHJb4iUR8Anc_0V9T3U-WYGfdORPsXR_T_kuIXDPhFcMA-hEERuU1lyY/s640/2013+(35).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We hooked up with Dave and Allen that we used to be in a band with last time we lived in Glasgow back in 2000...much beer and a wee living room jam at Al's house. Will hopefully do more of that this year :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnaZPkqFL5gguc9EaQS0JKcJFPhrf6abVXxG7YbJKRgGO0ut9pu7fKd720dT1b8vDsglW2INLSLc3IMrObGcSe066ZnE3mauaRqBUrohyphenhyphenWe8BW1MAlymzJlN14_BqD4DFTn9hVoMVK/s1600/2013+(36).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnaZPkqFL5gguc9EaQS0JKcJFPhrf6abVXxG7YbJKRgGO0ut9pu7fKd720dT1b8vDsglW2INLSLc3IMrObGcSe066ZnE3mauaRqBUrohyphenhyphenWe8BW1MAlymzJlN14_BqD4DFTn9hVoMVK/s640/2013+(36).jpg" width="570" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is our new street, we live in a two bed upper cottage flat with a wee garden with a shed. Flat hunting almost did me in, there was so much absolute garbage out there but I think we landed on our feet. Our new pad is close to the great outdoors, it's quiet and the neighbours are nice. It's a lot smaller than what we left behind but it's also £500 cheaper than what we paid in London. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhozOQjNcA2cCYGiL-HbtIw4k2CeQiQZTqWEnv9EgRsYp-VhXJbxTFTHbyN2-ICqBfXNdN5ytqBRb_4NJwgoiV8AeoqsNeLgj6ssQEwZa42JmEZ_F3LatwnAskCboUAi5zEWCtNEi/s1600/2013+(37).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhozOQjNcA2cCYGiL-HbtIw4k2CeQiQZTqWEnv9EgRsYp-VhXJbxTFTHbyN2-ICqBfXNdN5ytqBRb_4NJwgoiV8AeoqsNeLgj6ssQEwZa42JmEZ_F3LatwnAskCboUAi5zEWCtNEi/s640/2013+(37).jpg" width="614" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our beloved houseplants made the move with us and I am happy to say they are thriving in their new home, we'll have to get them some bigger pots again soon. Mark and I bought our two Yuccas a little brother for their Christmas...Bonkers? N'ah, in my world that is perfectly normal!</td></tr>
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That was our 2013, a bonkers, busy & brilliant year, can't wait to see how 2014 unfolds.<br />
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We are planning to get back in the saddle with the markets this month and hopefully hook up with a diving club here in Glasgow too. I can't wait to get back into the water and try out my new Scubapro dry suit that Mark got for my Christmas.</div>
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I'll endevour to blog a wee bit more often from now on. Mark and I are planning to do some more Frocktasia photo-sessions set in the surrounding woodlands but we're just waiting for a day without blustery gale force winds or stabbing dagger rain.</div>
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If you've made it this far, well done you :)</div>
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I will love you and leave you with a wee <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/frocktasia/sets/72157639327947995/" target="_blank">link to a flickr set</a> that I made of all my 2013 get-ups.</div>
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I think I did alright until July and then it just spiraled downwards into a pit of "not pic worthy" outfits, as I spent a good few months sorting and packing away in comfy cut-offs and scraggly tops.</div>
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Hope you are all well and happy.<br />
I wish you all the best for 2014.</div>
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Loads of love,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jennie</div>
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xXx</div>
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Frocktasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649180645331805365noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376530029828568772.post-71981292290258187282013-08-12T20:05:00.002+01:002014-05-07T15:15:10.314+01:00I can see clearly now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Some of us live our lives filled with perpetual longing for something better, sometimes battered by discontentment. Some are lucky enough to have found a place in the sun where they feel truly happy. A place where the dramas simply melt away and the first thing spotted in a cloudy sky is a silver lining. Some people are just swept along with the flow, content with not having to swim too hard.</div>
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Who am I? </div>
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I often wonder that myself.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11uIEpxTGLwHYACP668HRs1GJaJOR4CnD7BvI1efTtosSHwAXIFiWzAe4qarzhfzXLu1hyjbREUcyQcbJXSUM_0DQADB_boxfk_PA7-d9iLEeYY-1jt2ertGsFtpwz4ddTe5r-2Em/s1600/iuui.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11uIEpxTGLwHYACP668HRs1GJaJOR4CnD7BvI1efTtosSHwAXIFiWzAe4qarzhfzXLu1hyjbREUcyQcbJXSUM_0DQADB_boxfk_PA7-d9iLEeYY-1jt2ertGsFtpwz4ddTe5r-2Em/s640/iuui.jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
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When I was growing up we moved three times before I hit fourteen. First when I was six, then ten and then again at thirteen. Moving was both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because it probably gave me a more varied base of experiences than staying put in a small backwater village in southern Sweden ever would have been able to but it was also a curse cause it left me feeling quite rootless and like everything was just temporary. My relationships were never allowed to properly cement before it was time to haul the anchor and drift off to another place where I had to fight tooth and nail to be accepted yet again. I suppose I got used to change though cause after five years in the same place I couldn't wait to fly the nest and move away. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVYb5UU1IhBJo-HALmULkcrsTj78OAxrxmrjL51Zaj9LQclax4G2cHuHELRaw2HrSCEJVv5slGcX2aagU84ndAWlHanw4g792UHP3CInxHWSjhyphenhyphenWrsszTr-15f90w96HL1XEBfwKQ/s1600/y5ri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVYb5UU1IhBJo-HALmULkcrsTj78OAxrxmrjL51Zaj9LQclax4G2cHuHELRaw2HrSCEJVv5slGcX2aagU84ndAWlHanw4g792UHP3CInxHWSjhyphenhyphenWrsszTr-15f90w96HL1XEBfwKQ/s640/y5ri.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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I left Sweden when I was eighteen to work in Spain for a season and then I moved to Scotland where I stayed for three years. I sloped back to Sweden for a year to study English and law but soon realized that living in the old motherland felt akin to wearing a badly boil washed woolly jumper and because of that I made a speedy return to Scotland where I met Mark. In 1997 I lived and worked in Malmo in Sweden, Onich in The Scottish Highlands, Cambridge, Wisbech, London and then back to The Highlands for a short stint in Fort William before returning to London again. I lived my life out of a 90 liter backpack and anything I couldn't carry when it was time to move again was left behind. It was a liberating feeling not to be locked down by possessions and to be able to just pack up and leave at a drop of a hat.</div>
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We spent all of 1998 in London but still managed to move three times within the city that year.</div>
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Then in 1999 we moved up to Ballachulish to look after mum's house while she went off to be a Buddhist nun for a year and after she got back home Mark and I hitched to Barcelona for a summer of busking on La Ramblas. In early September we got a bus back to London, worked in a pub in Balham for a few months, saw in the new millennium with my sister in Copenhagen before moving to Glasgow.</div>
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We stayed there for one year before yet again returning to London and then out of the blue all the toing and froing came to an end. It happened on a December day in 2001 when we walked passed a estate agents. A rental notice in the window really grabbed my attention cause it said really wonderful things like "spacious rooms, plenty of storage, large balcony and nearby park" all of which really appealed to me, so we arranged a viewing and a week later we had moved in. Twelve years on we are still here but not for much longer cause change is afoot.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBXg6sEo3heqcPDPSmhfGnOoca54Ji6y_o7EFmm0k-S4OXiKfuhRJEYWHiDTmtGSLMJJm2R_bafethK-wW78KXK9QqwOJzDfiwZyCesNYfGXzsd7vMD9sHj_jO76_vQfVxv7zotG2/s1600/67i5-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBXg6sEo3heqcPDPSmhfGnOoca54Ji6y_o7EFmm0k-S4OXiKfuhRJEYWHiDTmtGSLMJJm2R_bafethK-wW78KXK9QqwOJzDfiwZyCesNYfGXzsd7vMD9sHj_jO76_vQfVxv7zotG2/s640/67i5-.jpg" height="640" width="460" /></a></div>
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I never in a million years thought I'd stay somewhere for twelve years but I guess that I'd finally found a place where I was happy to sprout a root and my normal "ants in her pants" tendencies where replaced by "albatross adoration". Each year every room became a little more cramped with stuff until one day we were no longer able to just up sticks and move. Sure it's nice to come home to a familiar setting sometimes, flick the kettle on and see that well entrenched butt groove on the sofa where I have been perched year in and year out for what now seems like an eternity but equally sometimes the longing for those freewheeling vagabond days of my youth make me want to cry when faced with all this staid familiarity.</div>
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The anchor is no longer making me feel safe, it's making me feel chained down and all the stuff that I once regarded so highly is suffocating me.</div>
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Don't get me wrong I still love my frocks but over the past few years I've realized that there is something I love even more and that is excitement, adventure and really wild things! Right now living in London with a house full of frocks there is very little of that variety forthcoming. I want to be able to don a backpack, travel the world, work as a divemaster (although I'd have to become one first) & do marine conservation volunteering. I want to feel like my life has got substance and meaning. It has been ho-hum for too frigging long. Change is where I want to be!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzNdcoqe4v_foSp3f4B2OuNMvYEdvdMnanQxNrioNsKAZ3A_2WQTTsQABWQo6Ag5Ss7BTTd0Yw6-9lCEQg8ANRMXYQ9QXtNcYh1p8eqXX0l-Gon7xTJeqfp4MxSCrq_ULZ0qoMXfn/s1600/65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzNdcoqe4v_foSp3f4B2OuNMvYEdvdMnanQxNrioNsKAZ3A_2WQTTsQABWQo6Ag5Ss7BTTd0Yw6-9lCEQg8ANRMXYQ9QXtNcYh1p8eqXX0l-Gon7xTJeqfp4MxSCrq_ULZ0qoMXfn/s640/65.jpg" height="640" width="594" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheer 70s Hippie frock, satin slip, suede waistcoat, Buffalo clogs, odd earrings, sunnies and Tibetan prayer bangle.</td></tr>
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Just in case you've been wondering what I've been up to since I last blogged...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMEPeA3NE2uhsYk0D6RHyJ953h7W-t8y988v4Dqezt__hL6apzf9v3w7_l-c934id_bbRjPXL90UptKYNunTeL9UiwmoXwre8HgJZf9nsNO1wJ_WoeZoQmICFPjwif_4fKegY-LqC/s1600/car+bootin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMEPeA3NE2uhsYk0D6RHyJ953h7W-t8y988v4Dqezt__hL6apzf9v3w7_l-c934id_bbRjPXL90UptKYNunTeL9UiwmoXwre8HgJZf9nsNO1wJ_WoeZoQmICFPjwif_4fKegY-LqC/s640/car+bootin.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
We've started making that change happen by selling off my vast stash of clobber at <a href="http://thelondoncarbootco.co.uk/n16/intro.htm" target="_blank">The Princess May Car Boot Sale</a>. We'll be there every Saturday and Sunday for the foreseeable future. It will take a little while but we are bashing away at that hoard like nobody's business and making good progress so far.<br />
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Here's Jimmy Cliff to sing us out, enjoy :)<br />
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Hope you've all been doing well.<br />
Lots of love,<br />
Jennie<br />
xXx</div>
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Frocktasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649180645331805365noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376530029828568772.post-21149024427263431252013-07-25T01:28:00.000+01:002013-07-25T12:04:19.249+01:00Fiesta frock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In 1986 my mum took me to Mallorca on holiday, Magaluf to be exact. </div>
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In the morning mum would cover herself in Hawaiian Tropic dark tanning oil, slither onto a beach lounger and stay there for hours reading her books in the baking hot sun. I soon got bored with lounging on the beach and took my inflatable lilo for epic paddles along the shoreline and beyond. On one occasion I got back finding my mother livid with worry cause I'd been gone for several hours. She gave me an almighty bollocking for not being more considerate and told me that I could forget about the fiesta dress that I'd been lusting over in a little shop near the hotel. As a child in pursuit of excitement, adventure and really wild things I became blinkered to other peoples concerns I guess. If my mum had known about all the other perilously crazy stunts me and my little pals got up to at home, she would probably have put me under permanent house arrest until I turned eighteen. We returned to the hotel in a huffed silence to get ready for an outing. That evening we were going to a 'medieval fiesta' held at some fake fort on the outskirts of the resort. Do people still go to these things? Everyone wore paper crowns and colour coded tabards to correspond with each seating section's individual knight. During the medieval banquet tournaments were held. The cheap Spanish plonk (and lemonade) was free flowing and there were lots of jeering and cheering going on. An opportunity to shake a leg was also given towards the end of the evening, with a great many vermillion-faced holiday makers dancing to the ever so slightly annoying birdy song. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5OnMRxBkDdpZEpLJm5kSPkmzAe3FqEPKmy2e1idwbUknTlgfyqTqZkb5TnQ2fu2EQuqMYxS2Dg8D4s-LO8ZB-6WatYbXh0d-78p27fKD7E7KTwUB9H4V_RTrv-Q_5pB9SYKiWLgX/s1600/jen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5OnMRxBkDdpZEpLJm5kSPkmzAe3FqEPKmy2e1idwbUknTlgfyqTqZkb5TnQ2fu2EQuqMYxS2Dg8D4s-LO8ZB-6WatYbXh0d-78p27fKD7E7KTwUB9H4V_RTrv-Q_5pB9SYKiWLgX/s640/jen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Needless to say my mum didn't stay cross with me for very long and she even let me buy a fiesta frock before we went home. I actually wanted a scarlet lace one but mum thought it was far too sexy for a twelve year old so I was only allowed to get the much more virginal white cotton & crochet trimmed version. Sadly the white frock no longer dwells in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.511387235593774.1073741838.152356011496900&type=3" target="_blank">my vintage wonderland </a>but whenever I come across a similar dress all these memories come flooding back to me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrgOR1HQqU7ZhOytxNoYcLpkasGb7Wt8pC5E5LAghBw6dxRIBhjVRKzgluneiE5YStWZUHEaaWG6kcdDsFNT2lpEpJLWR1MLBcnxindCFBg84Png7Vg9RnqRlSr8tYsJXRYwKg3kO/s1600/ry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrgOR1HQqU7ZhOytxNoYcLpkasGb7Wt8pC5E5LAghBw6dxRIBhjVRKzgluneiE5YStWZUHEaaWG6kcdDsFNT2lpEpJLWR1MLBcnxindCFBg84Png7Vg9RnqRlSr8tYsJXRYwKg3kO/s640/ry.jpg" width="614" /></a></div>
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The hydrangea pink fiesta frock that I'm wearing today was cheekily borrowed from the Frocktasia stockroom cause it just seemed like the perfect day for it ;)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5Gvqe4lNA9L73_gOUZn-wea6OfmFEXZEUkJFMHxpv4lZukr9JbZijtMRNRdb5EKuDd_6agfdbFkPGjOXsZdahgbM1HuJUI4k7ZZvLGWwgsyZhjuGchc96Tar-JeI5pMQ08oN4jot/s1600/rdjhrt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5Gvqe4lNA9L73_gOUZn-wea6OfmFEXZEUkJFMHxpv4lZukr9JbZijtMRNRdb5EKuDd_6agfdbFkPGjOXsZdahgbM1HuJUI4k7ZZvLGWwgsyZhjuGchc96Tar-JeI5pMQ08oN4jot/s640/rdjhrt.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">80s Mexican fiesta dress, ethnic mirror and embroidery embellished tie belt, 80s Pierre Cardin sandals & <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/leslieworks" target="_blank">Leslie Works</a> button bracelet.</td></tr>
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I'll love you and leave you with The Pogues, enjoy ;)</div>
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Take care,</div>
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Jennie</div>
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xXx</div>
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Frocktasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649180645331805365noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376530029828568772.post-55576000385178128392013-07-23T13:47:00.000+01:002013-07-23T13:57:10.397+01:00Counting Crows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Last night the sky finally ripped open. I was sitting by my computer and when I heard it start a feeling of excitement compelled me to go out and stand on the balcony. I got soaked and it was lovely. The heat is still lingering and the sun is doing its level best to try and burn through the clouds. I'm glad it rained, it was needed.</div>
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Yesterday was stiflingly hot. I always feel sorry for black animals & birds not to mention hardcore goths in this kind of weather. The crows in the park looked as if they were about to pass out in the heat. We saved them some grapes and cherries from our picnic.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39U-BYfGDyek-BAC_d79C9XH5Tqg1hdN7kGfr0-F9MnCf31JhvT66sE603PyKAkfCqmTurPHSH06XVK16IU8aMRwtVDmJ-A1bAbg4EO97Whd7W8IDWGAuxlMkOb7MDq6ZjFaCO0kh/s1600/yerwu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39U-BYfGDyek-BAC_d79C9XH5Tqg1hdN7kGfr0-F9MnCf31JhvT66sE603PyKAkfCqmTurPHSH06XVK16IU8aMRwtVDmJ-A1bAbg4EO97Whd7W8IDWGAuxlMkOb7MDq6ZjFaCO0kh/s640/yerwu.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ten years ago when I was working at a nursery school nearby Alexandra Place I used to spend my lunch break reading in the park. I usually sat in the shade of a tall tree that also happened to be a favourite hangout for crows. Occasionally a crow would descend to the ground, remain at a safe distance and scope me out. It was summer and I was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raw_veganism" target="_blank">raw vegan</a> at the time so my lunchbox usually contained a mix of vegetable florets and fruit, not foods that I thought a crow would be much interested in eating. One day however I'd rolled over in the grass a few times reading my book and I was lying far enough away from my lunchbox for the crow to feel brave enough to raid it. I looked over and there he was feasting out on my grapes. He ate his fill and then with a grape carefully held in his beak he ascended back into the tall tree. For the rest of that summer I brought grapes for the crows in my lunchbox.</div>
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<a href="http://sopastcaring.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/make-mine-double.html" target="_blank">Curtise</a> mentioned in her last blog post that she's having some issues with deciding what time of day to take outfit pics at the moment. The harsh sunlight is wrecking havoc with most my pics as well and moving into the shade doesn't seem have the desired effect either. Even if the sun is blazing in the sky above and you are sporting more colour than a Rio Carnival float the pics all seem to come out looking a bit like a peeled cucumber, all watery and pale.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylEkPg_i3HzJAzReQCxOTvjMYGtVblKnQqw01fwIZLFaYz1fWwVTP2Yu8QKdIn0-XONiblpHDCbmv2k3XrdpXon1ddc9pSnaxXPvXWrra590EUyQfRfgabFaVyJbBM_LFF5e7XlTF/s1600/89.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylEkPg_i3HzJAzReQCxOTvjMYGtVblKnQqw01fwIZLFaYz1fWwVTP2Yu8QKdIn0-XONiblpHDCbmv2k3XrdpXon1ddc9pSnaxXPvXWrra590EUyQfRfgabFaVyJbBM_LFF5e7XlTF/s640/89.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm sure there is something that can be done to remedy this effect but as it probably involves reading up on some serious photography techniques, I can't be arsed at the moment so watery and pale it is.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnH-zo7rBPC0Dpx3XqRhhMj7TtXUBm-OAq-ohC81a55keiO0jcGNYXC1ZxMYlUNxhIWjveQ7GKFyi0e-2acSJEDGk9JT0CIWGRdMa0RfnZ9mvpF8nBqKbfqyTElbp0r6o46we_nDX3/s1600/rehyu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnH-zo7rBPC0Dpx3XqRhhMj7TtXUBm-OAq-ohC81a55keiO0jcGNYXC1ZxMYlUNxhIWjveQ7GKFyi0e-2acSJEDGk9JT0CIWGRdMa0RfnZ9mvpF8nBqKbfqyTElbp0r6o46we_nDX3/s640/rehyu.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handmade crochet top (pressie from my lovely mum), abstract print 90s cotton trousers, silk scarf, flip-flops, straw hat, aviator sunnies, parrot earrings, three necklaces, Leslie Works button bracelet, loadsa bangles and my POP-swatch from the late 80s.</td></tr>
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I was standing against this sun baked yellow brick wall, thinking that it would provide a deliciously intense backdrop that would make the festival of colour I was wearing really pop out, how wrong was I...watery and pale.</div>
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You can't even tell that I've actually got the faint beginnings of a tan, I swear I do.</div>
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I'll love you and leave you with Counting Crows, enjoy ;)</div>
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Take care,</div>
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Jennie</div>
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xXx</div>
Frocktasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649180645331805365noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376530029828568772.post-4733659785219839942013-07-21T22:50:00.000+01:002013-07-22T17:51:00.064+01:00In Your Arms I Feel Sunshine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It has been a busy wee weekend for Mr & Mrs Mcletchie.</div>
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On Friday we enjoyed our daily little picnic in the park, we had wraps...</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5kb596DxpdzTYRLnyP7BLa44KWxpCQvvomWtmWpdcbrbqXtO6O-L494X08SSVsekP0qRtvDAaCB3WYmjcWYJ17sEXHpwGTxnLPnyX1FZ7wDDOBky7fXASmN2mna_wvIG5o7HV_It/s1600/qa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5kb596DxpdzTYRLnyP7BLa44KWxpCQvvomWtmWpdcbrbqXtO6O-L494X08SSVsekP0qRtvDAaCB3WYmjcWYJ17sEXHpwGTxnLPnyX1FZ7wDDOBky7fXASmN2mna_wvIG5o7HV_It/s640/qa.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An arachnophobic would probably have jumped out of their skin to find this little critter crawling on their straw hat but I quite like spiders.</td></tr>
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We managed a quick catch up with the geese...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx78VOQton-Jv2RbRzO2okLSdd28B7NY_w8xO8oWlbrvb3bsHslJCBiGKdhpzR-n89rm4ExD2ogDxAST52l-C_3l-7FAyOLQjEC0ijxdhl_j-IusQJVow-qhWb-I0_NUgo8vYZyIgU/s1600/qa1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx78VOQton-Jv2RbRzO2okLSdd28B7NY_w8xO8oWlbrvb3bsHslJCBiGKdhpzR-n89rm4ExD2ogDxAST52l-C_3l-7FAyOLQjEC0ijxdhl_j-IusQJVow-qhWb-I0_NUgo8vYZyIgU/s640/qa1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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...before going home to get ready for an evening at the theater.</div>
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Three of my friends are in <a href="http://www.newactorscompany.com/about.html" target="_blank">The New Actors Company</a> and they were staging a play by Peter Ustinov at the Southwark Playhouse called 'The Moment of Truth'. </div>
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In the intermission Mark and I made a pledge to go and see more plays, we really enjoyed it...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjYeri8E-J44-7hXAlIdUoISvDwHHtbrvgaYNTD5RVV70vzK9IWlcXzdfbRYaKYqLJE4uWzBULsJCIT-OI-eFt4RecwSviO-FAdR0-aRVSCPdVdOu3QPGinXJfp_G-VNqX5MOhlpC/s1600/hewqf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjYeri8E-J44-7hXAlIdUoISvDwHHtbrvgaYNTD5RVV70vzK9IWlcXzdfbRYaKYqLJE4uWzBULsJCIT-OI-eFt4RecwSviO-FAdR0-aRVSCPdVdOu3QPGinXJfp_G-VNqX5MOhlpC/s640/hewqf.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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On the way home from Elephant & Castle, a little impromptu posing ensued ;)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUiF1UcEONl7vy70YwyyxtRYGLneIhED8fcX0eayjqFyA_mW27GS3A3O_Lvp21LarKRZu2U2QuvtXygLBcc_swcEsFIPIESDSIge637b4Yyv3u1M9QW1obATi_hflYM75B-HCgu0Zt/s1600/tsuy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUiF1UcEONl7vy70YwyyxtRYGLneIhED8fcX0eayjqFyA_mW27GS3A3O_Lvp21LarKRZu2U2QuvtXygLBcc_swcEsFIPIESDSIge637b4Yyv3u1M9QW1obATi_hflYM75B-HCgu0Zt/s640/tsuy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wore: 70s Russian scarf print maxi frock, 80s Pierre Cardin sandals & <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/leslieworks" target="_blank">Leslie Works</a> button bracelet.<br />
Mark wore: 70s shirt, jeans, DC shoes, watch & man-bag.</td></tr>
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Then on Saturday morning we hopped on the train to Wraysbury to go diving.</div>
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Although we hooked up with our fabulous pals from <a href="http://www.divewimbledon.com/" target="_blank">Dive Wimbledon</a> the dives we did were unsupervised fun dives. This was a bit of a milestone for us as thus far we've always had either a guide or instructor with us. So we 'planned the dive and dived the plan' as it goes in the <a href="http://www.padi.com/scuba/" target="_blank">PADI</a> manual, it was lots of fun and I have to say that I totally feel like a proper diver now, yay!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieLA8l5kxJWfMetKORYr_Vh73EvVyhAniENVnHMmZUcAeXaab2hiTslHQThxw_eqKxf7LOs2_0U7JfNXCpoFRmO8hNz2NJ_sO9RCxUd1ONIhzME7r4WddoaiD1IcmcePNtbYgkOj7q/s1600/fehiuew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieLA8l5kxJWfMetKORYr_Vh73EvVyhAniENVnHMmZUcAeXaab2hiTslHQThxw_eqKxf7LOs2_0U7JfNXCpoFRmO8hNz2NJ_sO9RCxUd1ONIhzME7r4WddoaiD1IcmcePNtbYgkOj7q/s640/fehiuew.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark had to borrow a pair of fin boots, the <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=blue+footed+booby&safe=off&rlz=1C1NNVC_enGB489GB489&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=VzzsUZv9Gqev0QXcpICIDg&sqi=2&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1006&bih=659#safe=off&rlz=1C1NNVC_enGB489GB489&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=blue-footed+booby&oq=blue-footed+booby&gs_l=img.12..0.3878.6113.0.8339.2.2.0.0.0.0.73.142.2.2.0....0.0..1c.1.20.img.38WsYhp4QL4&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.49478099%2Cd.d2k%2Cpv.xjs.s.en_US.c75bKy5EQ0A.O&fp=28a57ab369b1fbf5&biw=1006&bih=659" target="_blank">Blue-footed Booby</a> springs to mind ;)</td></tr>
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We will be continuing our dive education next month by doing the <a href="http://www.divewimbledon.com/Courses/PADIRescueDiverCourse/tabid/104/Default.aspx" target="_blank">Rescue Diver Course</a>, needless to say I am very excited.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMkASd4e1n5jJyAIwZKCALr2Ul_z9E2RETT2HSi-y0_S7xP4AUv8PO_HKVAZMQ1MM1XmA7nZC_zjK8Jqg0fk5TR3QipdZ1aznztk8aOIA9L1wGYEkMZ4kuPWgteqQ8RafXKhH2U_B/s1600/jdsfh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMkASd4e1n5jJyAIwZKCALr2Ul_z9E2RETT2HSi-y0_S7xP4AUv8PO_HKVAZMQ1MM1XmA7nZC_zjK8Jqg0fk5TR3QipdZ1aznztk8aOIA9L1wGYEkMZ4kuPWgteqQ8RafXKhH2U_B/s640/jdsfh.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is tradition to have a plateful of cheesy chips when we dive at Wraysbury, just the picture of them is enough to clog an artery or two.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.wraysbury.ws/" target="_blank">The dive centre</a> was rammed with people, lots of dive clubs doing courses but we stayed away from the training platforms and explored the less popular spots of the lake. There are plenty of wrecks scattered about and Mark did a grand old job navigating from one to the other through the next to no viz water.</div>
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Here's a little funny trailer that Mark made up from some of the clips he took with his GoPro camera ;)</div>
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Yesterday it looked as if the weather might be on the turn and in the evening rain clouds were looming above but this morning we woke up to another brilliantly blue sky, so there was nothing more to it...picnic in the park time ;)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcuUenFzp2T5BI45nuaV7JsnHuNdJ_Cay0tm-WoOGTpVaQwlNB2HLSIZbVT9NL0A57PPjbWw0_VVQvqfxsW-UWwBKw52J-EQaMRtmw1af7ohIki1BKeR-qjOx_1zpfcXdRs8bcHNR/s1600/saggqewg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcuUenFzp2T5BI45nuaV7JsnHuNdJ_Cay0tm-WoOGTpVaQwlNB2HLSIZbVT9NL0A57PPjbWw0_VVQvqfxsW-UWwBKw52J-EQaMRtmw1af7ohIki1BKeR-qjOx_1zpfcXdRs8bcHNR/s640/saggqewg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Another scorcher is forecast for tomorrow but it looks as if we may be getting some rain next week. I think the plants will be rejoicing when it comes but I for one hope it doesn't linger too long.</div>
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Right now I am feeling incredibly upbeat and centered, like I am riding a wave of positive energy.</div>
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All of a sudden the inclination to get things done has returned with renewed zeal.</div>
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Life is just so much better when it's sunny outside :)</div>
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I'll love you and leave you with Moloko, enjoy :)</div>
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Hope you've all had a fabulous weekend.</div>
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Take care,</div>
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Jennie</div>
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xxx</div>
Frocktasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649180645331805365noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376530029828568772.post-32173247121289964562013-07-18T10:22:00.000+01:002013-07-18T10:26:06.634+01:00Madame Guillotine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
What a beautiful summer we are having in the UK :)</div>
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Usually when we are promised a rare sunny weekend a mad supermarket stampede ensues, with people panic buying disposable BBQ's, stripey straws, citronella candles, burger relish, coleslaw and slabs of animal carcass to marinade and grill. We've done the BBQing now, it's out of our systems and not once did we have to escape indoors or cower underneath a gazebo cause the clouds decided to start chucking cats and dogs at us. At the moment we are living like jammy Aussies who can throw a shrimp on the barbie whenever we see fit and it's blooming great!</div>
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If the BBC weather website is anything to go by we are set for a few more days of cloudless skies and soaring temperatures before a little bit of rain is forecast.</div>
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Yesterday I told you of how parts of the park has been transformed into an arid steppe scattered with skimpy bikini & speedo clad bodies. It has also recently become our dining-room. Mark and I decided that for the duration of this glorious heatwave we'll be having our dinners on a blanket in the park.</div>
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So when Mark comes home from work in the afternoon, I stand ready with a cool bag full of goodies to go.</div>
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As we were walking up to the park yesterday we spotted something rather random...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEWOVQXuvuLCpn62z8b2Y5YZSXv9nhSQ9YPcDya5XCRZz6Ofj92EpXL6YUkWzUigeODPLiAelGHj8Ci23H5Wkhcpjfh_1BlvnS6VxIXvVeegSsFemO3n5kM4RRwYMvZuEfH4_hs2i/s1600/q1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEWOVQXuvuLCpn62z8b2Y5YZSXv9nhSQ9YPcDya5XCRZz6Ofj92EpXL6YUkWzUigeODPLiAelGHj8Ci23H5Wkhcpjfh_1BlvnS6VxIXvVeegSsFemO3n5kM4RRwYMvZuEfH4_hs2i/s640/q1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A guillotine...maybe en route to Parliament Square, who knows?!</div>
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Needless to say it was padlocked and a girl was sitting nearby minding it. I didn't think to ask why it was there but quite often the park is used as a filming location. The girl didn't mind me posing in front of Madame Guillotine, I'm sure I wasn't the first person to do it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshKh5loqvFcpy9vswUMrfY482eG78GlvwxqCH2en4-MXJsfAAUN2DIC1KPuqAnqEujEguIL5HTrg2qDlWZ0QAPl4biuKdtPfBE8MPU6L-Qql1StWyQCfeTXute-heXSM2EysPPXZE/s1600/q2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshKh5loqvFcpy9vswUMrfY482eG78GlvwxqCH2en4-MXJsfAAUN2DIC1KPuqAnqEujEguIL5HTrg2qDlWZ0QAPl4biuKdtPfBE8MPU6L-Qql1StWyQCfeTXute-heXSM2EysPPXZE/s640/q2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Whenever I wear this skirt I feel an uncontrollable twirl need...</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbta4Y6WQq45tEncmY6RYkioJh7OIKf0koc1ad9Vm47zNlSX3XW1pSE06XgPTF_AYFOsh9fsvog4V5MwACMETphgBFhPtoxLRd9TY17bFiNlflCfoQXtaSl-vDAlR8F9ZYqcGhHvl/s1600/q3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbta4Y6WQq45tEncmY6RYkioJh7OIKf0koc1ad9Vm47zNlSX3XW1pSE06XgPTF_AYFOsh9fsvog4V5MwACMETphgBFhPtoxLRd9TY17bFiNlflCfoQXtaSl-vDAlR8F9ZYqcGhHvl/s640/q3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tie-dye ruffle hem Hippie skirt (charity shop), Handmade crochet top (a gift from my beloved mother), Frocktasia necklace, soapstone heart & macrame earrings, 80s sunnies (eBay), Havaianas flip-flops (gift from a Brazilian friend).</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSzziiCYUqwdbeuEXZCuAaR3nROXWx0vp3mjUYLHRWiLuA5c0k-_1cN9hCrzeLeWxLDZoFLFEmymIn1HTWavEQK5VwMlnpeZk6_0al_44-JOnVxeHGtM_xvEj8lshG7LQM9CH1OAI/s1600/f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSzziiCYUqwdbeuEXZCuAaR3nROXWx0vp3mjUYLHRWiLuA5c0k-_1cN9hCrzeLeWxLDZoFLFEmymIn1HTWavEQK5VwMlnpeZk6_0al_44-JOnVxeHGtM_xvEj8lshG7LQM9CH1OAI/s640/f.jpg" width="304" /></a></div>
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Larking about in the park with a gory guillotine in the background...<br />
just one of life's little pleasures ;)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlnPXPgc22Ag5sehheqRIq8qE98plDhrmVpSXTrTb4_AvBD6S6dxihHi5-DAPK_XNaRuYPwD9Vae0Epf3ewk6m7j1oxFnYPZUiOKWeQ-1-QTDilFSuwwBxWIKr0Ayv5BBs_T69jyM/s1600/qw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlnPXPgc22Ag5sehheqRIq8qE98plDhrmVpSXTrTb4_AvBD6S6dxihHi5-DAPK_XNaRuYPwD9Vae0Epf3ewk6m7j1oxFnYPZUiOKWeQ-1-QTDilFSuwwBxWIKr0Ayv5BBs_T69jyM/s640/qw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Speaking of little pleasures, both Mark and I are really enjoying being able to have our dinner in the park.</div>
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Yesterday I made pasta salad that we topped with a bit of grated cheddar cheese. I bought cheese topped rolls, cranberry juice and pretzels from Lidl. I also made a spicy chutney chickpea dip to go with it.</div>
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I refuse to by hummus at the supermarket cause a lot of the time shop bought ones are too bland for my taste buds. Making your own is so cheap and easy anyway.</div>
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If you want to give it a go...</div>
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*Whole can of chickpeas in brine, rinse well cause they smell a bit like cat food straight out of the can.</div>
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*Spoonful of tahini paste or more depending on your own preference.</div>
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*Some olive oil, salt and pepper.</div>
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*Freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice.</div>
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*A few cloves of garlic.</div>
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Before blending I often jazz it up with some more spices (I love paprika powder) and a spoonful of chutney, pesto, vegetarian tapenade or something else that is yummy.</div>
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I use my trusty hand-blender to mix it all into a smooth creamy paste and if it's too thick I add a little bit of tap water to get the consistency that I desire.</div>
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Easy peasy lemon squeesy with a whole lot of yummy rolled in :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3EL13nOmcUIjjBH1A6pfNl9CGsAIuEIJkBendfZGzDraT5t4dHj4zEGBGDMydNOBepdwK2xQVCjfmdIuNA0B_hFEFLlfBY_Wl4szvXwzOLH7noe8eOQM6XoICsNb-2XXcZkgytWY/s1600/g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3EL13nOmcUIjjBH1A6pfNl9CGsAIuEIJkBendfZGzDraT5t4dHj4zEGBGDMydNOBepdwK2xQVCjfmdIuNA0B_hFEFLlfBY_Wl4szvXwzOLH7noe8eOQM6XoICsNb-2XXcZkgytWY/s640/g.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I made this GIF image after another wonderful day in the park last summer...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQNY-kShOZNrCiVT830ZIb8ZyWdpPU95RzlnFOd7uvSdyWfS0HhVk3QFI44mFU3sA83VpTbAAT3jVDo609kQxCk6O1r0eWDSqSUeWuIE5EBMzS6otJRmgobDvq8IIdwg-p43hRg-6/s1600/%5Bgickr.com%5D_c8a874c0-d259-bf24-995b-8f3c7bbfb0ad.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQNY-kShOZNrCiVT830ZIb8ZyWdpPU95RzlnFOd7uvSdyWfS0HhVk3QFI44mFU3sA83VpTbAAT3jVDo609kQxCk6O1r0eWDSqSUeWuIE5EBMzS6otJRmgobDvq8IIdwg-p43hRg-6/s1600/%5Bgickr.com%5D_c8a874c0-d259-bf24-995b-8f3c7bbfb0ad.gif" /></a></div>
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I'll love you and leave you with Yeah Yeah Yeahs, enjoy :)</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/auzfTPp4moA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Take care,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jennie</div>
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xXx</div>
Frocktasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649180645331805365noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376530029828568772.post-55060453682638814782013-07-17T12:42:00.000+01:002013-07-17T12:49:55.819+01:00Respect and hippie love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The heat has reduced many of the lush green lawns in the park to something decidedly steppe like and strewn across this semi-arid plain are barely clad bodies soaking up the sun. I'm not really one for stripping off in the city and as tempting as it may be I'd feel pretty awkward sprawling out on a blanket in the park in skimpy pants and a bra. Personally I feel I need a beach or at the very least a pool to don a bikini in public.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OaFy2qjF5_yvxHV8wPU_KhfC1VunPrsKqUkWJAlI2MrvIgMkAgaxzNFnqACxy8kBRativ1AhqLKT_1ECw4LWDDx-goha8v0ZHEAvKZv5Do7wEo8ltXdD8bQPIp_5EG5tAwm60CFx/s1600/aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OaFy2qjF5_yvxHV8wPU_KhfC1VunPrsKqUkWJAlI2MrvIgMkAgaxzNFnqACxy8kBRativ1AhqLKT_1ECw4LWDDx-goha8v0ZHEAvKZv5Do7wEo8ltXdD8bQPIp_5EG5tAwm60CFx/s640/aa.jpg" width="458" /></a></div>
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I don't know what it is but whenever I dress lightly in the city there is always some creepy guy that feels the need to comment on not so much what I'm wearing but what I'm exposing.</div>
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En route to the Post Office yesterday morning I had a guy walking behind me singing "I see you baby, shaking that ass" not that my ass was hanging out or anything, at least I don't think it was, nor was I shaking it but there you go. Then on my way back home another sleazeball tooted at me and shouted "Hello, sexy legs". Maybe these chaps think that comments like that are flattering but rather than making me feel good about myself they make me feel really uneasy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoW69VH4H1ZBnd-EibLK9FbMVMALSijsKXXGtPZ2mSRgV4YnsjlmKvt2FRwnx6bgGhYCq9Jexh7_4L2Xr-4sLwdTRCs6IO9oaJZ5u-SrlK_VwMrO3UlUE6Eb6sW1TGL8ttHJYAo4P/s1600/aaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoW69VH4H1ZBnd-EibLK9FbMVMALSijsKXXGtPZ2mSRgV4YnsjlmKvt2FRwnx6bgGhYCq9Jexh7_4L2Xr-4sLwdTRCs6IO9oaJZ5u-SrlK_VwMrO3UlUE6Eb6sW1TGL8ttHJYAo4P/s640/aaw.jpg" width="634" /></a></div>
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I've never had this happen to me on a beach, so what's the difference?</div>
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Why do some guys feel that just because you are wearing something skimpy, trying to keep cool on a scorching hot day that gives them a license to perv away and also tell you all about it.</div>
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I'm not trying to be sexy for your ogling pleasure, so just frack off!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1gg99S_YS5G6t9NBZmKBGptUJSrDp-Tf2GfSuFAL8WVLI-FOB2-wx16fh-fi0pgWuO9INQ6mGlqHOgyJ5Wv1YDqvqsnVTAkc-yrqF5xINfLH_ZxDF5H03f8RBrIRhvted0s-GUmk/s1600/fghgdftg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1gg99S_YS5G6t9NBZmKBGptUJSrDp-Tf2GfSuFAL8WVLI-FOB2-wx16fh-fi0pgWuO9INQ6mGlqHOgyJ5Wv1YDqvqsnVTAkc-yrqF5xINfLH_ZxDF5H03f8RBrIRhvted0s-GUmk/s640/fghgdftg.jpg" width="458" /></a></div>
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Anyway, I'm not going to let these creeps rain on my parade, I just wish they'd show some bloody respect that's all, maybe in another lifetime, eh?!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRq3aN__MzDAUDtG2AyJMwLSLeOwpgWB8JZVktctlI1w6H_OT7C6x__7NpsM6qUfSQ8KknFPnIbSwOgXOAmS96owL3-sy037HQG-zMa72Kb-uuU__IQ03CGQmI3bvJyYECySSkWZa1/s1600/ioiiuj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRq3aN__MzDAUDtG2AyJMwLSLeOwpgWB8JZVktctlI1w6H_OT7C6x__7NpsM6qUfSQ8KknFPnIbSwOgXOAmS96owL3-sy037HQG-zMa72Kb-uuU__IQ03CGQmI3bvJyYECySSkWZa1/s640/ioiiuj.jpg" width="514" /></a></div>
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The vivaciously coloured mini frock that I was wearing yesterday is by French lingerie & swimwear label <a href="http://www.janinerobin.com/fr/historique.html" target="_blank">Janine Robin</a>. I'm guessing it's from the 60s. The fabric has got a lovely waffled texture and I absolutely adore the detailing to the back...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bxqVxhPfJTeZKSJyCaBt_tAWNiYH5sQGelNIPruNgtlx2S7WXjv9kxApGsdB__PZv5wmG98OAAiQ7TNhbjbkni0-i3zJLBM-_29IYuV2jW-3B4wUMkXzWEPmwz4cl7Y59iybWk2o/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bxqVxhPfJTeZKSJyCaBt_tAWNiYH5sQGelNIPruNgtlx2S7WXjv9kxApGsdB__PZv5wmG98OAAiQ7TNhbjbkni0-i3zJLBM-_29IYuV2jW-3B4wUMkXzWEPmwz4cl7Y59iybWk2o/s640/a.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2KXHyWv230hhC2IwBc9-zoz5D4NeOrWiGCSl-GICCUChTGUJuWNXQECPoJ7ly9C2CzMzz5ZHrf4cTDW-lzswM6SDkmr2pQf85fmkbpn8Dot05bWvlUjEn7VzbdFWe86B6WcwnYAb/s1600/sdayh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2KXHyWv230hhC2IwBc9-zoz5D4NeOrWiGCSl-GICCUChTGUJuWNXQECPoJ7ly9C2CzMzz5ZHrf4cTDW-lzswM6SDkmr2pQf85fmkbpn8Dot05bWvlUjEn7VzbdFWe86B6WcwnYAb/s400/sdayh.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I was really chuffed yesterday when the pictures from the <a href="http://www.mfa.org/exhibitions/hippie-chic" target="_blank">Hippie Chic </a>opening party started to pop up on FB. The frock that <a href="http://www.joyatri.com/" target="_blank">Jo</a> got for her friend Lauren who is the curator of the exhibition got an almighty outing. I feel like a proud mother seeing one of her babies doing well for themselves in the world.</div>
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I borrowed these two pics from the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151572154377321.1073741840.28314922320&type=1" target="_blank">Boston MFA facebook page</a>....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XQ8LljaBgzBnpwBQIpm24VJGEPx_sehoH0uBj-RBb_7a9Rz4fn7oo1vkT9sbfYVV6y9DFdqG6am9kRrdakVqW-tvu7CTlxlgWp-9Vhiu78NlcVKKaQXaSXZoFSyxxQhFTwsts9r7/s1600/ewquyui.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XQ8LljaBgzBnpwBQIpm24VJGEPx_sehoH0uBj-RBb_7a9Rz4fn7oo1vkT9sbfYVV6y9DFdqG6am9kRrdakVqW-tvu7CTlxlgWp-9Vhiu78NlcVKKaQXaSXZoFSyxxQhFTwsts9r7/s640/ewquyui.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Lauren looks absolutely spectacular and I love the beautiful floral crowns too. Jo also looked amazingly stunning in a vintage frock by Californian label <a href="http://vintagefashionguild.org/label-resource/arpeja/" target="_blank">Young Edwardian by Arpeja</a> and her escort Chris looked very dapper too. You can read Jo's account of the opening night on her fabulous <a href="http://www.joyatri.com/joyatri-home-page/2013/7/15/hippie-happening-at-the-mfa-boston.html" target="_blank">blog</a> and enjoy some more pics too. If you happen to live in or nearby Boston then you won't want to miss out on this exhibition, it looks awesome and I'm just hopping it hits the Hippie Trail and goes travelling via London once it has finished its run at the <a href="http://www.mfa.org/" target="_blank">MFA</a>.</div>
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I'll love you and leave you with the formidable Aretha Franklin, enjoy :)</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/6FOUqQt3Kg0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Take care peeps, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jennie</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
xXx</div>
Frocktasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649180645331805365noreply@blogger.com13