Returning to QVC after a girly weekend away

I have missed you!! Just a couple of days off and a few days away, and I found myself looking forward with eager anticipation to returning to QVC Towers... seriously!! But you know the great thing is that when I do get back, everything's the same, which is why I love it :) 

Did nearly have a minor wardrobe crisis though, as I'd eaten something for supper that clearly didn't agree with me and my stomach filled out like a barrage balloon!

I couldn't get into my black trouser suit and was only able to encase myself in a rather tight pencil skirt thanks to Slim 'N' Lift! Luckily I was only ever standing head on to the camera otherwise comments like, "Isn't she rather old to be having another child?" would have been rife. 

My brief break to Hay On Wye was one of my twice yearly holidays with the five girlfriends who've been in my life ever since I moved down south from Shropshire over 15 years ago  We used to pick a different place to stay each time, but have found this fabulous house that we keep returning to.

In truth it's a heck of a journey and until we introduced a sat nav into the equation, there were a few tricky moments... like the one where having driven around Warwick four times in the vain attempt to pick up Julie, the last of our number, Diane insisted we stop at the Police Station so she could get 'proper' directions!  We all sat in the car like chastised children in the layby outside until she came out, walked straight passed our car and got into the car in front! I don't think the driver was too happy. Laugh? We still live off that one to this day. :)

We had mixed weather over the weekend and only managed a brief sojourn into the village itself as it was perishing cold and wet, but after the storm there was the most incredible rainbow and I managed to get a shot of it before it disappeared (see photo above). What made it even more magical was that the end of the rainbow appears to be over the Church... pretty isn't it?

On a final note, have any of you had those emails asking for recipes? If you send one off, you're meant to get 36 back... Debbie Greenwood sent it to me, so I dutifully sent it back and on to many friends and have received nothing!! So I texted her stating my disappointment... at least I thought it was to her, but needless to say the dentist will have had a laugh trying to decipher the automated voice reading out said text... I sooooooooo need glasses.

Have a great weekend, and if you have any girlies to buy Christmas presents for PLEASE join Jilly Halliday and I for the Gem Gift Idea shows from 9pm til midnight tonight  Unbelievable collection of stones and designs and the prices will definitely bring a smile to your face. :)  

Love Ali xxxx

Comments

[Rhona Fenton]

Hi Alison, so glad you all had a great time away, your picture looks so beautiful but have to say can't stop laughing at your story about Julie getting into the wrong car brings me back to something my Dad did at his work once he was working on a building site and it was lunch time so he went into his van and started eating his dinner when half way through he thought I can't remember putting this in my lunch box when the penny dropped he was in the wrong van and was eating someone else's dinner so in a blink of an eye got back to his own van before anyone noticed we have laughed at that for years and to cap it all my Dad is the double of Ronnie Barker looks and act's the same which made it all the more funny, so thanks to Julie it brought it all back ha ha!! looking forward to you and Jilly's show tonight if I know you two it will be a right Hoot, have a great weekend love Rhona xx

[Julie]

Hi Ali
Was watching on Friday night when you were on with Jilly, was tempted to ring in to say I've only one Christmas Pressie to get, all wrapped,cards written and Turkey ordered!Unfortunatley earier on in the evening (during Wales' match) we had a power cut due to the adverse weather conditions so cracked open a bottle of wine and decided against it!!
Just to make you a little envious, I have 10 days off work so will be visiting Hay this week-weather permitting.
Take Care, speak soon-oh and Wales won-just!!
Julie x

[alison keenan]

Rhona, you have given me the most hilarious mental picture of your Dad - he sounds lovely. Well done him for getting away with it and at least he liked the sandwiches! Imagine if it was fishpaste and peanut butter... yuk! Jilly and I did enjoy our time together and are hoping we'll get the chance to work together again soon. Glad you liked the picture - you won't believe the one I've got for this week's blog... infact I'm going to get you to guess what it is! It's a one off trust me :) It's filthy weather here again, and we have water coming through the conservatory roof.. happy days. You take care and lot of love Ali xx

[alison keenan]

Julie, I am in awe!! I was laying in bed this morning thinking it's only five weeks til Christmas and I've done very little so far. Mind you, not too sure who'll be with me as we split Christmas up with the children each year, but that's only relevant re food, and I always buy too much anyway! I hope you got to Hay yesterday morning as it was beautiful here but then rained in the afternoon. I'm also going to be off for a few days as Sam's back into hospital on the 25th, and I'll need to be home for him :) Perhaps I can do some shopping on line then!
Take care Julie love ali xx

[Julie]

Hi Ali
haven't got to Hay yet but did go to the Beach on Sunday-guess what? I only fell down an embankment flat on my face!! I was covered in mud from head to toe!! No Joke-seriously!I shouted to my Husband who turned around and said "what are you doing?" he kept a tight hold of the dog though!!I was so embarrassed so put my hood up! Can't be trusted driving or on shanks' pony now it seems!
Do give Sam my love and hope all goes well, keep us informed.
As always take care Ali and happy shopping!!

[Rhona Fenton]

Hi Alison I thought you would get a laugh with that story:)now should I look forward to this test your giving me? don't make it too hard but I will give it a guess:)hope the weather has got better down with you? we have had a lot of rain up here but hey it's scotland you expect it ha ha, even the Ducks have wellie boots on:) Alison sorry to hear Sam is going back into Hospital I hope everything is ok with him and please pass on my Best wishes to Sam and you take care also and look after yourself too, talk to you soon and I look forward to this test ha ha!! enjoy the rest of the week lots of love Rhona xx

[dorothy]

hi alison
you always seam to have good time bet its a laugh a minute you always have a good tale to tell, years ago had mam dad out in car when we came back i dropped dad off as he was going to shop,i was bursting for loo and was shouting at him to move away from car his reply i can't move i had run over his foot and the wheel was still on it thankfully nothing was broke should'nt laugh but could not help it. hope everything is alright with sam.
take care love dorothy xx

[Margaret]

Hi Alison , just been reading your blog and noticed your Sam has to go to hospital on the 25th so just wanted to wish him well and of course his lovely Mum too , glad you enjoyed your break lovely place to visit when we were caravanners we toured all around and stayed there for a week,All Good Wishes Margaretxx.

[Debbie Greenwood]

Hi Ali
I haven't had any recipes, either! I am outraged and will get on to my friend Sue to find out what is going on!
All this is disappointing as I not only shared my Nonna Soup recipe but also disclosed my secret ingredient for Scouse (known by the code name The 'Davenport Drop').
I wonder what your dentist thought?
Love
Lady Greenwood
xx

[alison keenan]

Julia, you are a caution! - as my nana used to say :) Glad your husband made sure the dog didn't follow you in....! I remember losing a wellington boot in the mud at Hampton Court just by the river when I was about 5.... it was before we moved there. Dad tried to get it out, but we had to leave it.. I was hearbroken. Strange the things that upset you when you're little eh? I will of course let you know how Sam gets on, and thank you very much for your kind concern. Take care and stay out of any muddy ravines! Love Alixx

[alison keenan]

Rhona I've blown the test, as you will have seen if you've read my latest posting...! it's Willows half way up the chimney, although I was worried that people may think it's one of those weird half cat things that some folk find funny to have sticking out of the boot of the car! It is a genuine picture, and as original as the one I hope you'll send to me of ducks with wellingtons on :) We're hoping this will be the last surgery for Sam but will hopefully take away the persistant discomfort he has when walking..as the surgeon said, after all he's been thru they want to make it as comfortable as possible. I'll keep you in touch of course, and thanks for being so kind. Lots of love, Ali xx

[alison keenan]

Dorothy what are you like??! Your poor Dad! I hope you managed to get to the loo in time particularly if you were laughing so hard! :) Thanks for making me laugh, and for your concern re Sam. As you'll read he's doing OK, but they just want to try and improve things for him, so we're keeping everything crossed. Will of course let you know how he does. Love to you Ali xx

[alison keenan]

Margaret I have to say I envy you your caravan - particularly if you were able to spend time in such a lovely part of our country. I stayed once in a static caravan at Dovercourt on the coast. I loved the fact you had everything you needed in such a small space. Very cosy! Thanks for kindly asking about Sam. As you'll probably have gathered, it's additional surgery to try and improve on his walking pain free. If it is successful he may even be able to run again! Keeping everything crossed and will let you know how he is. Thanks Margaret, Love Ali xx

[alison keenan]

Dear Lady Greenwood, I hope your friend Sue was able to shed some light on the matter, as I too feel this kind of sharing can leave one vulnerable.....could the secret ingredient (known as Davenport Drop) be similar to the little known Castleford Cascade? It's brought many a strong man to his knees.
My dentist has refused to treat me any more...
Love Lady K