Monday, 8 April 2013
the view with a loo.
Saturday, 6 April 2013
BIRD ON A WIRE
80 mph, over a mile, 14000 under clear blue skies in Snowdonia today I became wonder woman for 55 seconds. It took me about twenty minutes to get into the gear unlike Linda Carter who just spun round very quickly usually in a phone box and appeared all suited and booted like a red dominatrix sometimes with whip in hand. I wore a large red all in one boiler suit, weighed and everyone's weight was written on their wrist. At least it wasn't my age. If we were considered under weight, we were weighted down with what looked like iron bells on our backs although I'm told these are going to be replaced next week to funkier and more fitting weights. I didn't care. As long as they got me across they could have strapped a fridge to me as long as I didn't get stuck half way. One of the guys shot across so fast (120mph) that he literally back fired and ended up half way back along the wire, to be gamely rescued by Jane, all five foot three of her. It took twenty minutes and you don't want to have to go through that either. Another girl put her arms out bird-like and slowed herself down so had to be unceremoniously pulled in by holding onto an outstretched ladder. But these are all early days yet and just teething problems, the small group of journalists being the willing guinea pigs.
The zip wire (www.zipwire.co.uk) near Betws-Y-Coed, is the longest in the world (the one in South Africa at the moment doesn't work) so it is the longest in the world. Still in its very early stages they hope to build a cafe at the top so people can have something to drink before they zoom down, although I don't think alcohol is a good idea or a full stomach for that matter. It's not the going down that creates the nerves, as with sky diving, it's the waiting around and the watching others doing it. You will always want to be next.
The security procedures are reassuringly anal. They must have said 'are you ready to go' to the people waiting for me at the other end (they were specks on the horizon) about five times in my case because one of the radios didn't work so they tried new ones. It reminded me of that scene in Contact where Jodie Foster has the same issue before she entered some parallel universe. I was wondering if half way down I would enter into some parallel universe and there would be a different life awaiting me on the other side although I admit I do love this one.
After five, four, three, two one, I zoomed down head first - quickly picking up speed, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 80 and think 90mph. I was told not to put my arms out so flew down determined to be streamlined as possible. You practice on a baby zip before you go on big daddy or mummy or whatever nick name it's going to be called. The baby makes you realise how you should lie in the harness and that you can trust it completely. It also introduces you to the staff who are all local and specially recruited for their empathetic skills I was told. I admit they were brilliant - calm, informed, like baby porridge - just right.
Half way down despite my bullet-like posture, I turned 90 degrees and continued to zoom down sideways. Don't know how I did it and the organizers don't know how I did it, but I did it, then magically self corrected myself, and didn't slow down and landed without needing to be pulled in, pulled back, slowed down, and held the hand that was offered me at the end by a very nice man called Nick Moriarty (wonderful name that) who designed the zip and other 'rope courses' around the world. What an interesting job. I didn't scream. I prayed a lot at the start. For adults it costs £50 and for children £40. It's worth it for adults, they should put the price down a little for children. And they charge less for the locals which is an excellent idea.
I then went Gorges walking which I thought was walking along Gorges through forests, spotting the few remaining baby lambs that have managed to survive the freezing conditions (there were lambs but so few and usually I am told there are thousands). No. Gorges walking is canyoning but backwards. Instead of walking down waterfalls and rivers, you walk up waterfalls and rivers. Going against the flow is as challenging literally as it is metaphorically. Wearing wetsuits which leave nothing to the imagination I started walking up the river, with a guide called Vicky who was brilliant, gave clear concise instructions (e.g., if you don't lean forward there and instead lean backward Sarah you will roll backwards and fall onto the rocks). There was a bit called Elephant's Bottom (nothing to do with me) which meant me and two others climbed up a rope on an almost vertical rock formation which had a waterfall flooding down it and then crawled on our hands and knees through a narrow opening at the top. I'm very pleased I've done it, I would do it again but only if Vicky was there to tell me what to do.
I stayed at Craig-Y-Dderwen Riverside Hotel (www.snowdoniahotel.com), where the food was excellent, the views amazing and there was a wedding going on. The zip and gorges walking are great activities to do for a hen or stag party. Sober. And there's a company called Busybus which takes you around from the hotel and organizes the trips for you at a discounted rate. I'd do it again, but only if I didn't have to wait at the top of the wire and Vicky was there again to show me how to navigate the waterfalls. Amazing weekend. Thank you.
The zip wire (www.zipwire.co.uk) near Betws-Y-Coed, is the longest in the world (the one in South Africa at the moment doesn't work) so it is the longest in the world. Still in its very early stages they hope to build a cafe at the top so people can have something to drink before they zoom down, although I don't think alcohol is a good idea or a full stomach for that matter. It's not the going down that creates the nerves, as with sky diving, it's the waiting around and the watching others doing it. You will always want to be next.
The security procedures are reassuringly anal. They must have said 'are you ready to go' to the people waiting for me at the other end (they were specks on the horizon) about five times in my case because one of the radios didn't work so they tried new ones. It reminded me of that scene in Contact where Jodie Foster has the same issue before she entered some parallel universe. I was wondering if half way down I would enter into some parallel universe and there would be a different life awaiting me on the other side although I admit I do love this one.
After five, four, three, two one, I zoomed down head first - quickly picking up speed, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 80 and think 90mph. I was told not to put my arms out so flew down determined to be streamlined as possible. You practice on a baby zip before you go on big daddy or mummy or whatever nick name it's going to be called. The baby makes you realise how you should lie in the harness and that you can trust it completely. It also introduces you to the staff who are all local and specially recruited for their empathetic skills I was told. I admit they were brilliant - calm, informed, like baby porridge - just right.
Half way down despite my bullet-like posture, I turned 90 degrees and continued to zoom down sideways. Don't know how I did it and the organizers don't know how I did it, but I did it, then magically self corrected myself, and didn't slow down and landed without needing to be pulled in, pulled back, slowed down, and held the hand that was offered me at the end by a very nice man called Nick Moriarty (wonderful name that) who designed the zip and other 'rope courses' around the world. What an interesting job. I didn't scream. I prayed a lot at the start. For adults it costs £50 and for children £40. It's worth it for adults, they should put the price down a little for children. And they charge less for the locals which is an excellent idea.
I then went Gorges walking which I thought was walking along Gorges through forests, spotting the few remaining baby lambs that have managed to survive the freezing conditions (there were lambs but so few and usually I am told there are thousands). No. Gorges walking is canyoning but backwards. Instead of walking down waterfalls and rivers, you walk up waterfalls and rivers. Going against the flow is as challenging literally as it is metaphorically. Wearing wetsuits which leave nothing to the imagination I started walking up the river, with a guide called Vicky who was brilliant, gave clear concise instructions (e.g., if you don't lean forward there and instead lean backward Sarah you will roll backwards and fall onto the rocks). There was a bit called Elephant's Bottom (nothing to do with me) which meant me and two others climbed up a rope on an almost vertical rock formation which had a waterfall flooding down it and then crawled on our hands and knees through a narrow opening at the top. I'm very pleased I've done it, I would do it again but only if Vicky was there to tell me what to do.
I stayed at Craig-Y-Dderwen Riverside Hotel (www.snowdoniahotel.com), where the food was excellent, the views amazing and there was a wedding going on. The zip and gorges walking are great activities to do for a hen or stag party. Sober. And there's a company called Busybus which takes you around from the hotel and organizes the trips for you at a discounted rate. I'd do it again, but only if I didn't have to wait at the top of the wire and Vicky was there again to show me how to navigate the waterfalls. Amazing weekend. Thank you.
Thursday, 4 April 2013
LOST IN AUSTEN...AND CHARLIE BROOKER ON RELATIONSHIPS
Just watching a program I didn't see first time round. Lost in Austen, the story of a modern day girl that's got lost literally into the plot of Pride and Prejudice. I feel a bit like her at the moment. She is creating chaos bit like I think I do in my life. Every time I think I've found Darcey I end up with a pantomime prince, who likes to be pissed on, continually asks after sex 'am I the best' and feels like a woman inside - denoting an ambiguity about sexuality, insecurity, neediness and lack of understanding who he is. Back to the program, the modern day girl has already pinched Darcey from Elizabeth Bennett but I'm sure the plot will all return to as it should be. Any way, the program waxes lyrical about how relationships should be all about gentle restraint and no kissing, although Ms Bingley was found out to be a lesbian (I actually always thought she was) and will marry Darcey anyway because it looks good and they both quote 'fit in with each others lifestyles and incomes'. Wow, I realise how little has changed. Probably even the lesbian bit too. I also suspect there are threesomes going on in the back of the barouches all over Pemberley (they didn't have taxi in those days...) and that will feature in the next episode. Probably. However, it is still oddly romantic and appeals to my 'there is hope' although it does me giggle and seems oddly timely for me.
Then I turned channels. There was a program on dogging. I initially thought this was possibly to do with Crufts, and there were indeed people on there with animal masks on, but no it was to do with people watching other people have sex in the back of cars. I am sure this will feature in the Lost in Austen program at some stage. I am sure they did it then. I am sure they did.
I then turned channels in search of a channel that didn't have sex on. All the rest was food, how to prepare food. About twenty channels on only food. And one on sex and food.
Then I found Charlie Brooker on how TV ruins our lives and I laughed till I cried. It was about how TV portrays relationships. Go see it on iplayer because it is hilarious, vicious, painfully accurate and very angry, eloquent and all the other positive superlatives. He knows TV very well and he is so angry about it. I do hope he does a program on bankers and he asks me to get involved. but this one was hilarious. He did a piece on break ups, sex, marriage, the lot, 'making do' with people who may be dull but at least they're seemingly 'safe' (bit like the sapphically inclined Ms Bingley and Pantomime prince Darcey marriage). I do hope against all odds Darcey ends up with Elizabeth. Ultimately, she does do it for him while Ms Bingley types don't. That's the romantic in me. Probably why I stick to fiction.
Then I turned channels. There was a program on dogging. I initially thought this was possibly to do with Crufts, and there were indeed people on there with animal masks on, but no it was to do with people watching other people have sex in the back of cars. I am sure this will feature in the Lost in Austen program at some stage. I am sure they did it then. I am sure they did.
I then turned channels in search of a channel that didn't have sex on. All the rest was food, how to prepare food. About twenty channels on only food. And one on sex and food.
Then I found Charlie Brooker on how TV ruins our lives and I laughed till I cried. It was about how TV portrays relationships. Go see it on iplayer because it is hilarious, vicious, painfully accurate and very angry, eloquent and all the other positive superlatives. He knows TV very well and he is so angry about it. I do hope he does a program on bankers and he asks me to get involved. but this one was hilarious. He did a piece on break ups, sex, marriage, the lot, 'making do' with people who may be dull but at least they're seemingly 'safe' (bit like the sapphically inclined Ms Bingley and Pantomime prince Darcey marriage). I do hope against all odds Darcey ends up with Elizabeth. Ultimately, she does do it for him while Ms Bingley types don't. That's the romantic in me. Probably why I stick to fiction.
Tuesday, 26 March 2013
ONE GIRL IN A BRIDAL SUITE, AND FIVE MEN IN A HOT ROOM
Right, who's' reading this one then? I continue to have an interesting 2013. Not what I had expected but then again there's always an upside to every cloud. Just that this winter seems to be going on for a little longer - we had if I remember rightly, one day of Spring. I visited a lovely place Dewsall Court in a snow drizzled Hereford this weekend, met some amazing people who own the property and organise excellent supper parties there, and they put me in the bridal suite. Ironic in many ways, but as a friend texted me while I was there 'you will probably have more fun there than many married couples do.' I don't know if that's sad or flirtatious. Whatever, the stay what lovely and I thank them for hosting me.
And yesterday in my yoga class, which is all hot and sweaty (Bikram at it's best), five men walked in. They were to say the least, beautiful. They were five members of the England Rugby Team. One was called Oliver, one Chris, one Matt I think and there was a Tom. My Tom (14 year old 6 foot 1 eating a packet of Bran Flakes now on his return home every evening from school) is cross with me because I could not recognise their faces. They were indeed handsome but it was not their faces I was looking at. They had the most incredible edible bodies and they were all hot and sweaty, dripping with sweat and no one could balance. It was like the male equivalent of that video, you know the one with all the girls working out in the room to 'Call on Me' but without the music just the heavy breathing. And their biceps were so big that they couldn't wrap one arm round the other or one leg round the other. But who cares. No one in that room cared. No one could balance, but everyone did backbends and twists as though there were no tomorrows. Yoga is wonderful. And sometimes it is really really really wonderful.
And yesterday in my yoga class, which is all hot and sweaty (Bikram at it's best), five men walked in. They were to say the least, beautiful. They were five members of the England Rugby Team. One was called Oliver, one Chris, one Matt I think and there was a Tom. My Tom (14 year old 6 foot 1 eating a packet of Bran Flakes now on his return home every evening from school) is cross with me because I could not recognise their faces. They were indeed handsome but it was not their faces I was looking at. They had the most incredible edible bodies and they were all hot and sweaty, dripping with sweat and no one could balance. It was like the male equivalent of that video, you know the one with all the girls working out in the room to 'Call on Me' but without the music just the heavy breathing. And their biceps were so big that they couldn't wrap one arm round the other or one leg round the other. But who cares. No one in that room cared. No one could balance, but everyone did backbends and twists as though there were no tomorrows. Yoga is wonderful. And sometimes it is really really really wonderful.
Sunday, 10 March 2013
HAPPY MUMS DAY
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, all you wonderful women who have given birth to little gems. I feel a bit like a travel writer writing 'the people are all very friendly' when I write that, because although it's mostly true, it's not always true. As someone who's written about travelling with children for nearly fifteen years, really since I was pregnant with my son, and written about the politics of the playground, which is nothing to do with the kids at all, just the issues of the parents, I'm not sure if I actually like children.
Don't get me wrong, I love my own, centre of my universe, but over the years I've met children who I felt were going to make the most appalling human beings. That adage, mine will be different, and they will grow out of it, doesn't happen. Yours turn out to be the same, and they get worse. And they always blame the mothers. That's after they blame the media, the council worker, the government, the lack of nutrients in food, the teachers, the lack of discipline in the home, too much tv, computer games, violence, alcohol, celebrity culture. In fact a whole melting pot of things to blame for the awfulness of the child. Which is unfair. I recently produced a youtube of the top ten types of mums and I've done one for dads, but I had to tone it down because 'they' felt it might be too negative. It wasn't. It was spot on. In fact it was tamed down. But dads are rarely if ever laid to blame for their own failures let alone that of their children. No one is to blame for their own failures and that's the problem. No one takes responsibility. Actually no. Women usually tend to believe everything is their fault, and men tend to believe everything is everyone else's fault, so I'm sure that's why men and women get on as well and as long as they do. Men think their failures are everyone else's fault - but mainly the fault of their mothers. It's sounds like something Freud would say. These ones also tend to marry their mothers or 'motherly' types', divorce when they're not being mothered any more - because their wives have given birth and have genuine children to look after and proceed to look for women who a) can't have kids b) have grown up kids c) are able and willing to dote on them the way their mothers never did...or did too much. So happy mothers day, to all of those who have children and those who have children as partners.
Don't get me wrong, I love my own, centre of my universe, but over the years I've met children who I felt were going to make the most appalling human beings. That adage, mine will be different, and they will grow out of it, doesn't happen. Yours turn out to be the same, and they get worse. And they always blame the mothers. That's after they blame the media, the council worker, the government, the lack of nutrients in food, the teachers, the lack of discipline in the home, too much tv, computer games, violence, alcohol, celebrity culture. In fact a whole melting pot of things to blame for the awfulness of the child. Which is unfair. I recently produced a youtube of the top ten types of mums and I've done one for dads, but I had to tone it down because 'they' felt it might be too negative. It wasn't. It was spot on. In fact it was tamed down. But dads are rarely if ever laid to blame for their own failures let alone that of their children. No one is to blame for their own failures and that's the problem. No one takes responsibility. Actually no. Women usually tend to believe everything is their fault, and men tend to believe everything is everyone else's fault, so I'm sure that's why men and women get on as well and as long as they do. Men think their failures are everyone else's fault - but mainly the fault of their mothers. It's sounds like something Freud would say. These ones also tend to marry their mothers or 'motherly' types', divorce when they're not being mothered any more - because their wives have given birth and have genuine children to look after and proceed to look for women who a) can't have kids b) have grown up kids c) are able and willing to dote on them the way their mothers never did...or did too much. So happy mothers day, to all of those who have children and those who have children as partners.
Friday, 8 March 2013
NATIONAL WOMENS DAY - A TALE OF TWO BARBARAS
Happy Womens Day all you wonderful women! Listened to Absolute Radio this morning and heard DJ Chris, who's funny but I find a bit old fashioned sexist, talking about how women always shop all the time and say everything was in the sale and that they're fine when they're not. So no stereotypes there then. Then there's Chris Hulme's fragrant wife being found guilty of perverting the course of justice by taking her husband's speeding points. And I think Mel C has just won Mother of the Year and Katie Price and Jodie Marsh and Kelly Brooke are bitching about boobs. Mind you that was in the Daily Mail column of shame, so I don't know if that counts. And women are supposed to not get on in business because they don't have an ambition gene like men do, according to some research somewhere by scientists - I wonder if the scientists were male or female. Can you ask that these days? I'm sure there was some women somewhere who did something vaguely intelligent, compassionate, inspirational, considerate but they weren't written about. Well, many years ago I had the opportunity of interviewing two women who were lauded in some way as being 'inspirational'. I interviewed two Barbaras. Both B. Cs - Barbara Castle and Barbara Cartland.
Barbara Castle was speaking at the anniversary of the Suffragette movement and it was one of my first assignments as a reporter to interview her. She was speaking at an event to 'commemorate' what Pankhurst et al went through in order to get women the vote. They went through a lot more than chaining themselves to the railings. Although these days, what with Fifty Shades of Grey, women would do it for totally different reasons. Whatever, she was signing copies of her autobiography and I waited for her to finish. She had a glass of G and T on the floor and a few of the women (and it was mainly women) waiting for her to sign the books, had those little handbag dogs (they existed even then) which proceeded to drink her drink. She noticed and I got her another one, but held it while she finished the signings. She turned to me and asked what questions I had for her. About five minutes later we'd finished. I'd got what I wanted and she looked at me askance. "Have you been a reporter for long?"
No, I hadn't. It was my first or second week at the paper.
"I like the way you ask questions. You have a very good manner. Women think they need to be tougher than men, more aggressive, nastier. But they don't. Stay feminine and strong and you'll get further that way."
I thanked her and she went on to speak to the group before the film was shown. I had to file copy for the paper but I went up to ask her to sign the book. She looked at me and did so quickly and I had to go. On the bus on the way home, I looked for her autograph. She'd written 'Dear Sarah, never let it be a man's world. Best Barbara Castle.' Mmm.
And then there was Barbara Cartland. A totally different kettle of fish although I wasn't expecting it to be quite so different. We were filming her about her travels and went to her home. An all male film crew were highly amused at her lecturing me about why women should never present the news, or present anything for that matter, as their voices are too high pitched and it had been proven that they lacked the authority to be believed. And why wasn't I at home baking for my husband and looking after the children (I didn't have either at the time). "But you worked on your books" I said, probably being naively impertinent. "Ah, that's different." she replied. I ignored her and smiled, continued to ask questions which she in turn ignored and give answers that she wanted to give. We later had tea and she entertained the boys while I sat at the other end of the table. Mmm.
I've always chosen to believe in Barbara Castle's attitude rather than Barbara Cartland. Women have as much right to make it their world as men do. I believe this not because I've been told to, but because I believe it. And probably because I can't and don't have that aching urge to bake.
Barbara Castle was speaking at the anniversary of the Suffragette movement and it was one of my first assignments as a reporter to interview her. She was speaking at an event to 'commemorate' what Pankhurst et al went through in order to get women the vote. They went through a lot more than chaining themselves to the railings. Although these days, what with Fifty Shades of Grey, women would do it for totally different reasons. Whatever, she was signing copies of her autobiography and I waited for her to finish. She had a glass of G and T on the floor and a few of the women (and it was mainly women) waiting for her to sign the books, had those little handbag dogs (they existed even then) which proceeded to drink her drink. She noticed and I got her another one, but held it while she finished the signings. She turned to me and asked what questions I had for her. About five minutes later we'd finished. I'd got what I wanted and she looked at me askance. "Have you been a reporter for long?"
No, I hadn't. It was my first or second week at the paper.
"I like the way you ask questions. You have a very good manner. Women think they need to be tougher than men, more aggressive, nastier. But they don't. Stay feminine and strong and you'll get further that way."
I thanked her and she went on to speak to the group before the film was shown. I had to file copy for the paper but I went up to ask her to sign the book. She looked at me and did so quickly and I had to go. On the bus on the way home, I looked for her autograph. She'd written 'Dear Sarah, never let it be a man's world. Best Barbara Castle.' Mmm.
And then there was Barbara Cartland. A totally different kettle of fish although I wasn't expecting it to be quite so different. We were filming her about her travels and went to her home. An all male film crew were highly amused at her lecturing me about why women should never present the news, or present anything for that matter, as their voices are too high pitched and it had been proven that they lacked the authority to be believed. And why wasn't I at home baking for my husband and looking after the children (I didn't have either at the time). "But you worked on your books" I said, probably being naively impertinent. "Ah, that's different." she replied. I ignored her and smiled, continued to ask questions which she in turn ignored and give answers that she wanted to give. We later had tea and she entertained the boys while I sat at the other end of the table. Mmm.
I've always chosen to believe in Barbara Castle's attitude rather than Barbara Cartland. Women have as much right to make it their world as men do. I believe this not because I've been told to, but because I believe it. And probably because I can't and don't have that aching urge to bake.
Wednesday, 27 February 2013
NETTING THE MUMS....
Well, I've had an interesting couple of weeks. I'm still trying to take it all in, but needless to say very pleased with the response for the net mums 'ten types of mums' video which seems to be going down well with lots of teenage boys who may have got onto the site by mistake! Whatever, I think they recognised their mums although a few were looking for the ones they'd like to fancy. I think that's what the F stands for. I've presented some more videos focusing on different aspects of the 'mother types'. It's only the tip of the iceberg of course, and there are a load more - which I've put on the mummy mafia app (please download!!) and in the book (please buy!!).
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