Smashed it

Bit late but I’ve just stopped after a 19.5 hour day! What a bloody brilliant day. Not without it’s challenges. But wouldn’t be an event without those!

The main thing is that all of the delegates had a good time and Simon is happy.

I can’t tell you how proud I am of what we’ve achieved in the past couple of days.

My feet are wrecked. I ache all over. And I haven’t eaten enough. Standard after an event of this size.

Now time for bed. There will be some sore heads tomorrow that’s for sure. My job here is done…

Up and down

I lost count of how many times I’ve been up and down these escalators today. Let’s just go with a lot!

As predicted, it was more running around like an idiot than gliding around like a swan. Still the conference has started this evening. So far so good.

My feet ache. My face aches. And I’ve walked 7 miles…when I had my phone on me. There was a lot of steps without my phone. So who knows?! Only left the hotel once to go and buy more gifts.

Might have slightly embarrassed myself by opening someone else’s car boot when we got back to the hotel. In my defence, it was the same make as the one I was aiming for. At least the owner saw the funny side.

I could do without an international incident on my hands.

Tomorrow will be a very long day! Bring it on…

Manor House

Isn’t this window stunning? It was the view on my way to breakfast. Part of Celtic Manor is a very old Manor House. That’s the bit I’m staying in. Not that I’ve spent very long in my room.

Today was pre-con day. The day when we check everything with the hotel. And then make a billion changes to everything we just agreed.

Still the first batch of people have arrived. And all have room. Phew. Always a nervy time.

Things kick off tomorrow so here’s to another day of running around like an idiot. Sorry, that should be gliding around gracefully like a swan. Let’s see which one it actually is?!

Advance party

I’ve arrived!! Really smooth run through. And with only one pee stop. Blimey Wales is a long way from Norfolk.

This is the calm before the chaos starts tomorrow. We hit the pool. Well I say pool, it was more jacuzzi, stream room and sauna. It’s more than I got to do last year. And will probably be the last time I see it before I leave.

We headed over to one of the restaurants for dinner. This one is in the clubhouse that was built for the Ryder Cup in 2010. It’s pretty cool. As was my dinner. A winning start me thinks.

Awash

Oh the glamour of poo-picking in the rain. Buddy was really helpful too. He decided to poo in the furthest corner of the field I’d just cleared. I swear he did it deliberately. He waited till I moved to the next field and stared right at me. Funny boy.

You have to laugh at the weather. It was vile this morning. Of course, by the time I got home and showered, the sun had come out. Still we got to have a soggy cuddle.

I’m going to miss his little face. He’ll think he’s retired when I come home. But then he acts like that after a day off.

I won’t miss getting soaked. I’ll be lucky if I actually leave the hotel the next few days. Wish me luck…

Plans

Today has been all about checking the plans for next week’s conference. I’m rather cross-eyed from staring at spreadsheets, documents and emails.

It takes months of planning and so much work to put on a conference – even a small one. This is a big one. I’ve been doing events for many years and it still surprises me when people think they just happen.

Today’s checks were to make sure that we have the right number of bums on seats, the right beds for the duration and that we had all of the dietaries and allergies. I’d really rather not accidentally poison someone. And go through the running order for the millionth time.

Few last bits to sort and then off on Sunday. Sure there will be stuff that comes up. I will be in full ‘swan-mode’ next week. So exciting!!

Condiments

I needed to pick up some champagne for the conference next week. As you do. Spotted this and thought I’d give it a whirl. Blimey it’s good. But you don’t need a lot!

Garlic is very good for the heart. But maybe not for others. I apologise to anyone who I meet to tomorrow… I may have overdone it.

All hallows

Happy Halloween everyone. It was very foggy when I got to the yard this morning. Pretty apt for Halloween.

Thankfully it had cleared by the time I took Buddy into the arena to pop a few jumps. I’ve found that riding first thing really sets me up for the rest of the day.

Bee happy

I bought some new tea towels a while back but had used them yet. Today I got this one out. Isn’t it lovely?

I love bees. It’s wonderful watching them buzz around my garden. They’re so industrious. Always on a mission or so it seems.

Bit like me today. I definitely clocked up done laptop hours today. I’m a week out from the big conference I’m supporting. So lots and lots of admin to be done. Good job I love a spreadsheet. I think I had 8 open today at one point. Lot of briefing calls too.

I’ve been a busy bee today. And if it all goes to plan, my clients will bee very happy too.

Bodily fluids

This was the scene that greeted me when I arrived at the yard. Not sure where Buddy was aiming?!

Took Buddy over to meet Katie and Archie at Blickling. It’s been a while since we’ve been able to get together. There was a lot to catch up on. It was very busy there today. Guess that’s cause it was such a lovely sunny morning. Still we managed to have a lovely wander about.

One comedic moment when Archie stopped for a pee. My god, it lasted forever! We were both laughing as it didn’t stop! Not to be outdone, Buddy decided to join in too. Cue more giggling from us. They also picked a spot in full view of the walkers. After an age, they both finished.

We were giggling about bodily fluids. And yes, we both needed to go when we got back to the lorries. You’ll be pleased to know, we were much more discrete about our ablutions.