Wonder Woman

I do not blog very often and one of the reasons for this is simply a lack of time and too many hobbies! I have however realised that I know a real life Wonder Woman and she goes by the blog name "Snaffles Mummy".

Snaffles Mummy is so talented and finds the time to do so many things, here are just a few examples:

1. Her blogs are second to none. They are funny, informative and sometimes emotional. I love sitting down and reading her tales - usually about 5 at a time because I have not had time!

2. She makes the best cakes. She makes cakes for family and friends and they are of a professional standard in both looks and taste. Mine however, on the rare occasion I get round to making them are inferior in both taste and looks!!

3. She is a Mummy and spends quality time with her son every single week. She is not a Mum who just carries on with mundane life dragging her son in tow. She enjoys being a Mummy and loves nothing more than spending time with her little boy. Every week, on her days off, she has some activity or other planned with him.

4. She works three days a week and travels about 40 miles each way to get there, yet never complains about the journey or long day and still seems to have more quality time at home than me!

5. This list could be endless but unfortunately being Little Miss "I haven't got time" I will have to end it on this final note. She is the kind of friend that some people can only dream of having. She is always there no matter what and makes the biggest effort for all of her friends and I am so proud to be one of them. I never feel I have enough time for friends and am always spread so thinly. Snaffles Mummy however is all things to all people - wife, mother, lawyer, author, baker friend... whatever your need she is always there to provide the service. She really is a real life Wonder Woman.


I am slightly jealous of her amazing talents... only a little, but thank goodness I am the recipient of such amazing skills. Keep up the good work xxx

Camping

So my next hobby I have a burning desire to blog about is Camping. Now camping is a little bit like marmite, there is not a single person when you mention it who does not have an opinion – they either love it or hate it. In my experience those who fall into the latter category have either never been or had one bad experience in the past (usually involving bad weather or insects) which has put them off for life.

Now camping has moved on a lot since I was young. It is no longer the case that after four hours of fighting with tent poles in the rain you have only a semi dry sleeping place where rain creeps in. In my view camping IS cool and great fun, provided you follow some important rules:

1. For the first few times go as the guests of a more experienced camper.
2. Always have a tent which holds at least double the capacity you need. Four man tents are designed for two people (unless you are prepared to be close – VERY close!!). I have an eight man tent for the two of us, which means for a weekend away I can also accommodate a couple of friends.
3.Luxuries are important. Don't take a sleeping bag – take a duvet, it is much more cosy. Always take a hot water bottle to warm the bed before you get in and cosy pyjamas are a must. Sleeping on the floor is for hardcore campers and idiots – get a decent airbed!
4.Take lots of warm clothes – being cold is miserable.
5.Essentials do include marshmallows to toast over the BBQ in the evening, hot chocolate made with real chocolate and biscuits for before bed time.
6.Choose the camp site carefully – do you want a pub on site or do you want to get away from all that?
7. Before you choose a tent of your own think carefully about what is important – go with a wishlist and do not compromise. A decent tent will cost you less than one week in a cottage and will last a few years. Mine would be this – quadruple the number of people for capacity, simple to erect (L don't be rude!), you can stand up inside it, plenty of living space, bedrooms at opposite ends of the tent, completely stitched in so nothing can get inside – not even an ant, thick material.

Now picture the scene – on a gorgeous summers evening sat outside the tent watching the sunset whilst drinking a bottle of wine, toasting marshmallows on the BBQ and putting the world to rights! Once you get drunk/tired make the menfolk prepare hot water bottles to warm up the cosy bed then when ready pop of to bed with just 5 easy steps. In the morning wake up to the sound of cows mooing and the smell of a breakfast being cooked on the BBQ – heaven!

I urge you all to try it just once this summer and see what you think – and yes that includes you Snaffles Mummy. You can't help but fall in love with the great outdoors this way!