Quiz success all round

    

Last night was my quiz night and raffle at the Fiddler's Elbow and I was really happy with the turn-out! Setting up took a little longer than anticipated as I was held up at work and then when I had arrived at the venue I discovered the staff weren't quite ready for me. Due to double booking my event ended up being put in the basement room, which although it still had a bar, was on the snug side! Moreover, there was no-where near enough tables and chairs. So it was all hands on deck to bring down more tables & chairs from the hotel, put up posters & banners advertising WaterAid and blow up balloons. Those who arrived early kindly helped out and my gorgeous assistants Ruth, Laura & Fred did a sterling job of collecting in pre-paid tickets, selling more tickets and promoting the raffle.

Finally at 7:30 the Quiz was under way, 9 rounds in total, with a bonus water-related question at the end of each round. Half-way through I held the raffle with 16 wonderful prizes up for grabs. These were all items I had collected over the last few months from various companies who have been so supportive and generous and to whom I owe tremendous thanks! I think people were impressed by the prize on offer as a lot of raffle tickets were sold including some at work during the day.The majority of winners were there on the night but 3 from work also won - Frank, Ivy and Noreen and I am sure they will be delighted to receive their prizes next week!

As the night went on, the drinks flowed and the questions got a little harder, the noise in the room increased and I was glad to have my microphone to be heard. Apologies for the 'feedback' from the amp when I stood to close to it, by the third time you would have thought I would have learnt my lesson! <g> All in all however, people were respectful and quietened down to hear each question. I also took a few minutes to explain a little about WaterAid and why I am doing this challenge and then to promote my 2 auction items. Fred was a great help, carrying the Coulson painting around to each table and showing it off! Thanks Fred :-) Due to time I decided it was best to hold a silent auction and asked those interested to pass me a note of their bid. At the end of the night the 2 items went to the highest bidder with the stunning painting fetching £130 and the membership for the NTS £40! Not bad at all ;-)

The Quiz finished at around 10:30 with the winning team announced as "Quiz Akabussi" and a bottle of Piper Heidsieck champagne was presented in celebration. The team that finished last were also presented with some Tunnock's chocolate goodies. All-in-all the Quiz was a great success, a few people strolled in during the course of the evening and joined some teams but at my last head-count I had 44 participants! With the late-comers I think some teams ended up being bigger than the suggested 5 per team rule but it wasn't school, I wasn't going to make an issue, lol! I'd like to shout out particular thanks to Gillian, one of the PAs at work for kindly sending round an email in the office to promote this event and for coming along herself and joining the SBC :-) Thanks also to Ian & Bill with the Sunday Brunch Club for also promoting my event and getting a couple of teams together, much appreciated!

As the evening came to an end, I had some great feedback about how much people had enjoyed the quiz and the staff at the Fiddler's Elbow were really kind in offering me the chance to host another event there in the future. Although setting up the room was rather last-minute and with my numbers we were all very cosy, the staff were thoroughly helpful and pleasant and I really appreciate all the did for me. I was particularly touched when Jason commended me on my fundraising efforts too!

 

Back home, my good friend Tracy and I counted up the takings and I am over-the-moon to anounce I raised £582 for WaterAid last night! My current total stands at £2478, so if anyone would like to help me reach £2500 then you can do so my sponsoring me directly through Just Giving - www.justgiving.com/trekforwater2013

 

On a final note:
 

THANK YOU TO THE FIDDLER'S ELBOW, ALL WHO PARTICIPATED IN MY QUIZ

& AUCTION & ALL WHO BOUGHT RAFFLE TICKETS!

I COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU!

                    The Venue

         

Pilates Works

My friend Sabrina owns and runs a Pilates studio in Dundee and often visits Pilates Works in Stockbridge, here in Edinburgh for courses etc. She suggested to me getting in touch with her friend Nora at Pilates Works for a raffle prize. I did so recently and Nora, the Pilates Works Manager and Studio and Matwork teacher kindly donated a 1:1 hour long Pilates session with herself. This is a fantastic opportunity to discover Pilates and I am sure will be a much sought after raffle prize!

Pilates helps to engage and strengthen the core, waist and lower back muscles and helps to improve posture and prevent injury. I have been to a few Pilates classes at my local gym and really enjoyed it, unfortunately work often prevents me getting to the 5:40 class on a Monday but hopefully I will get more opportunities to go now that we are recruiting more staff.

Pilates Works is a fully equipped studio with top-class instructors, offering a variety of programmes, classes and performance based training. For more information visit www.pilates-works.co.uk or email edinburgh@pilates-works.co.uk.

Thank you Nora and Pilates Works for your messages of support and your wonderful raffle prize donation, it is much appreciated!

Pilates Works Studio

1, St Bernard’s Row
Stockbridge
Edinburgh
EH4 1HW

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Thanks to "La Mula Obstinada"

This evening I went for my daily walk as I had missed the chance at lunch and stopped by the Spanish restaurant "La Mula Obstinada" on Queen Charlotte Street. I enjoyed tapas there a couple of weeks ago with my neighbour Barbara and met both the owner and the manager at the time. We got talking about my fundraising endeavours and they very kindly offered me a voucher for a meal for 4 as a raffle prize. It was agreed that I could pick this up one evening nearer my quiz and so I did so tonight.

 

Having eaten there myself I am sure that the lucky winners of this great raffle prize will have a thoroughly enjoyable meal. The staff are very friendly and welcoming, the resturant is spacious, yet cosy and the food is delicious with generous portions! Even if you don't win, why don't you whet your appetite by checking out their menu (www.lamulaobstinada.co.uk/?page_id=83) and paying this family run restuarant a visit soon! Many thanks to Alejandro Moreno and family for their support, see you again soon!

 

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Quiz preparation & a wonderful raffle prize! ;-)

 

I have spent the last few evenings going through Quiz books from the library and cross-referencing questions with the internet to make sure my answers are all correct and up-to-date. I plan to finalise my quiz this evening, leaving tomorrow night free to go and decorate the function room with posters, banners and balloons, all advertising WaterAid.

 

I am really looking forward to the event although a little nervous about entertaining 30-40 people! I am not known for my quick wit I'm afraid! On top of my Quiz, I am holding a raffle and an auction. Raffle tickets will be sold for 50p or 5 for £2 and I have some great prizes up for grabs!

 

The latest raffle donation I have generously been given is a hardback copy of a book entitled "Dear Olivia", written by Valvona & Crolla director Mary Contini. Described online as "the real story of the determination, ambition and success of two immigrant families whose lives have remained irrevocably linked through unprecedented hardship, tragedy and loss..... Woven together from personal oral histories and extensive research, this is the moving, startling and inspiring story of the founders of Valvona & Crolla". A truly inspirational read I am sure.

 

Mary also kindly signed the book for me today and generously added a £30 gift voucher to spend in store. Valvona & Crolla, an award-wining specialist Italian deli, wine merchant and café bar is an amazing cavern of Italian produce and well-known throughout the city. If you haven't been before or it's been a while I highly recommend you pay them a visit at one of the following locations in:

Deli & Caffe Bar
Elm Row, Edinburgh:
0131 556 6066

VinCaffè & Ristorante
Multrees Walk, Edinburgh:
0131 557 0088

Foodhalls in Jenners
Princes St, Edinburgh:
0131 260 2242
Lomond Shores, Balloch:
01389 753 506

Food & Wine on 4, Frasers
West End, Edinburgh:
0131 225 2472
www.valvonacrolla.co.uk

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Thanks to my fellow 'bag-packers'

A letter of thanks from WaterAid I'd like to dedicate to the following ladies:

Laura Sked, Ruth Stewart, Tracy Quinn & Christine White.

Couldn't have done it without you! Thank you! XxxX

 

Beinn a' Ghlo - 2 out of 3 aint bad! ;-)

Yesterday was my first Munro ‘bagging’ trip of the year. I didn’t sleep particularly well the night before, worried that I would be at the back of the group and hold everyone up. Just as I finally nodded off it seemed, my alarm clock went off. Opening the curtains I was met with a lot of mist and cloud and the threat of rain, I even wondered if the walk would still go ahead. Silly me, the SBG Hill walking group is an experienced group and will stick to planned walks, come rain or shine.

We all met outside the Dome on George Street at 9am and divided into three cars for the journey. In total there was 11 of us plus we met a 12^th member (Steven) at Blair Athol who was very familiar with the area and acted as a guide. I travelled with 3 lovely ladies – Karen, Kate and Linda and we made good time, reaching our distination in under 2 hours.

We set off at an eager pace just after 11 and followed a dirt track initially, we then veered off onto the path which led us to the foot of the first Munro. Due to recent rain fall, the ground was muddy and water-logged in parts. At one point, I misjudged the distance when hopping over a small stream and ended up in a heap with mud up to my knees! What a great impression to make on my new walking friends! <g>. Nevertheless I soldiered on and soon we found ourselves climbing the steep flank of the first Munro. It was very misty, with low level cloud and so it was difficult to see any distance ahead. This was probably a blessing as after climbing for what seemed like an age, I innocently asked how far to the top and was met with the response that we were only half way to the first summit of Carn Laith. The poor visibility, the uneasy scree which had accumulated on the path, and the steepness of the munro made our first ascent seems almost un-rentless. In China I found my walking poles most helpful but on this occasion didn't have them with me. Kate, an English teacher, kindly offered me hers and after she assured me she didn't need them I took her up on her kind offer. It made a great difference and finally we reached the summit of Carn Laith! Carn Laith sits at 975 metres (3198 feet) and is ranked 181st in the Munro categorisation. It is the lowest of Beinn a Ghlo's three summits but the most prominent when seen from the main road.

 

Just as I reached the summit, my mobile phone alerted me to a new donation on my Just Giving site, a generous sponsorship from family friends - David & Anna Henderson. It couldn't have come at a better time as it reminded me exactly why I was doing this training and testing myself! Thank you so much David and Anna, I shall write to very soon! Ravenous, we all tucked into our packed lunches and chatted freely, getting to know each other. Although the rest of the group were more experience hill-walkers and generally knew each other already, they were so welcoming and friendly and really out me at ease. It was a delight to be walking with them and have the comfort that our leaders knew the way and would look out for us.

 

After lunch the weather began to clear and opened up some fabulous views. Waterproofs and fleeces came off as we walked onto the ridge and admired the panorama all around us. With the steep ascent behind us, my pace quickened and I began to really enjoy the walk. At this height snow was still around in areas and provided a refreshing way to cool down! We then descended as low as the path went  into Beallach and then began the second ascent of the day up Munro number 2 - Braigh Coire Chruinn-Bhalgain at 3510 feet. A couple of false summits were frustrating but eventually we had conquered the second munro of the day. Percy pigs, dates and ginger cake were passed round in celebration! By this time it was approaching 4 o'clock and so the unanimous decision was made not to climb the third Munro that day and instead walk back down Braigh Coire the way we had come and then follow a deer-path down a stream and through the heather and mossland. In the words of Meatloaf "two out of three aint bad".

 

The return stretch was long, it was gone 7:30 by the time we got back to the cars so it was a long day of walking but we had done it! I was so proud of what I had achieved, had enjoyed chatting with my fellow-walkers from SBG, marvelled at the scenery and had the priveledge to see herds of wild deer and hare. Back at the cars we tucked into some of my home baking I had made the day before and then set off back to Edinburgh, arriving home at approx 9:15.

 

I slept soundly last night with all that exercise and fresh air and was pleasantly surprised to find my muscles were not as sore as I had expected. My radox bath must have done it's job! Unfortunately I must have taken my stairs to quickly this morning as I have managed to twist my knee and although walking on it it fine, going up or down stairs is painful. Ice and Arnaca is on the agenda tonight!

 

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Love Art?

BREAKING NEWS: A beautiful piece of art by Lawrence Coulson entitled ''Skylight Shared" will be auctioned at my Quiz night, next Friday.

 

 

 

"Skylight Shared"

- My stunning Auction item

 

This limited edition is signed & numbered by the artist and comes with a certificate of authenticity. The image size is 6” X 7 & ¼ but it's been professionally framed so overall size is approx 18inches sq. The glass has been upgraded to UV conservation glass to enhance the protection of the paint. 

Following in the footsteps of his famous father, Gerald Coulson, Lawrence Coulson has enjoyed sell-out success of his work since becoming a professional artist in September 1997. As a child, he grew up surrounded by his father's evocative paintings which inspired him to start painting. He is hugely influenced by his local landscape, on the edge of the Cambridgeshire fens. Everything is dominated by the huge skies and endless horizons, with dramatic sunsets and heavy stormy skies, providing him with a wealth of reference material to draw upon.

It's very easy to become lost in this beautiful painting, especially with such dreadful weather outside! If you would love to become the proud owner of this collector's item then you can either place a silent bid on the night or if you can't make the event, send me a personal message before Friday 24th May to be in with a chance!

 

This stunning piece was generously donated by Castle Fine Art, on Multrees Walk here in Edinburgh. Castle Fine Art focuses on Contemporary Fine Art and Sculpture and "offers everyone a welcoming environment to enjoy original and limited edition fine art from the country’s most innovative and talented artists, from Alexander Millar, Bob Barker, Paul Kenton and Stuart McAlpine Miller".

 

Their gallery is a very welcoming and inspiring space, hosting a variety of exhibitions, exclusive events and private viewings. On occasions the artists themselves make a personal appearance to showcase their work! "Whether you’ve yet to acquire your first piece of art , or are lucky enough to already own a growing collection of work "a wonderful experience awaits you at Castle Fine Art Edinburgh.

 

Castle Fine Art

20 Multrees Walk

St Andrew’s Square

Edinburgh

EH1 3DQ

t: 0131 261 9181

e:edinburgh@castlegalleries.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/castlegalleries

Twitter: @CastleFineArtEdin

  

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A bank holiday walk

Yesterday was a bank holiday and as I worked the last one I got this one off :-) My intention was to go cycling with my friend Vero along the excellent network or cycle paths in Edinburgh. To my dismay however I discovered that the rear wheel and the chain have come off my bike which put paid to that idea. I will need to look up youtube for a video on how to fix it or get one my cycling friends to take a look!

 

Although disappointed I didn't get my planned bike ride I was still keen to follow my training schedule and complete 2 hours of activity. So instead I drove over to Blackford where I left my car and then enjoyed a brisk walk following a circular route around Blackford Hill, visiting Blackford pond (full of Swans, Coots & Moorhen), the adjacent wet lands and passing the golf course. A wide grassy pathway then took me to the summit at 146m. Nothing compared to the 4500m altitude I will experience in Peru but at least it got me up-hill! The 360-degree views of the city and surrounding hills were stunning and although it was cloudy, it was mild enough not to need a jacket :-)

 

I then descended towards the Royal Observatory and followed the sign posts for the Hermitage of Braid, which extended my hilltop jaunt by another hour. These walks were recommended in my wee book "Edinburgh - 40 Town & Country Walks" by Kerry Nelson and I have set myself a goal to complete them all by October! Infact it's such a lovely evening and for once I finished work on time so I may even complete the recommended Leith walk tonight :-)

 

If any of you, dear readers, fancy joing me some time, just give me a shout!

 

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Bag-packing success - £472 raised!!

Edging closer to the half-way mark all the time, my current total stands at £1846!

 

Today was my planned bag-packing event at my local Sainsbury's at Meadowbank. My fabulous friends Ruth, Laura, Tracy and Christine very kindly gave up their Saturdays to help me raise more money for WaterAid by carefully packing the grocery bags of Saturday shoppers. Dressed in our WaterAid T-shirts and armed with our leaflet, stickers and collecting buckets we hit the tills at 11am and worked tirelessly until 4, packing bags, making small chat and smiling throughout :-)

 

Many of the customers were very appreciative of our help, particularly the Mums with young children and others were particularly interested in our cause, keen to support the vision and work of WaterAid. Sainsburys appear to do a roaring trade on a Saturday as the queues at the tills were non-stop and the time passed quickly. The cashiers were really helpful too as promoting our services, which we really appreciated :-)

 

Back home Ruth, Laura and I spent a good half hour counting up all the money and bagging it for the bank. Throwing in a few coins to round it up, we raised £472, nearly £100 each for 5 hours work. This was a fantastic result and shows the dedication and support of my dear friends. Many, many thanks for all your help and commitment, it is greatly appreciated and I couldn't have done it without you! I wish I had remembered to take a photo of us all in our T-shirts for my blog, but at least we know who the Dream Team are!

 

Thank you also to Martin and Louisa for agreeing to today's bag-packing and to all the cashiers at Sainsburys who shared their tills with us today. Finally massive thanks to every single shopper that showed interest in WaterAid and who donated today, every penny counts, thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next event is my Quiz night on 24th May, spread the word, the more the merrier! Let's surpass  the £2000 mark!

 

 

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