30. Learn Dutch (Part 2)

I completed the app! Gosh, it's just like a game! I got a gold cup with the Dutch flag as a scarf around it. Very exciting. It took me 297 days...that was with a few streak freezes though, when I forgot to do my lesson or was too tired before bed.

Ta dah!

I came across a few other amazing phrases which have been used since:

This comes in very useful when trying to speak Dutch to Mathijs and his family

A lovely "Finding Nemo" inspired quote

Purple is my favourite colour!

I have to say this to Mathijs all of the time

I'm really starting to understand the structure of some sentences. The conditional lessons are quite difficult and there are a few other subjects which keep frustrating me but it's all a learning curve - that's the point of me learning Dutch!

The only question Mathijs asks me in Dutch is if I slept well and I reply "Ja, ik heb goed geslapen" (even if I didn't as this is currently the only response I know).

The levels "ungold" themselves if they haven't been done in a while so there are always opportunities to refresh my learning every day.

Onwards and upwards...to 365 days, perhaps?

40. Visit 40 cities in the UK (Part 2)

Four months into my new (not-so-new) job now and really enjoying the challenge. My love of spreadsheets and OCD has put me in good stead. It's been interesting travelling around the country with my Clinical Lead, Rob.

Continuing with my city visits, here are a few more I've done over the past four months where I've never been before.

15. Oxford - I went to observe another Project Manager in action before I started my own Trust visits. This was an Oral & Maxillofacial visit. I'd got off the train at Oxford Parkway which was practically dormant but going to Oxford city station to head to Hereford was an absolute nightmare. I thought London traffic was bad. It was so awful that I missed my train and had to wait an hour for the next. Luckily my ticket was still valid. Nice city to look at though. This month we did our own visit to Oxford.

16. Hereford - This is where I was heading after the Oxford visit. This was to observe another Project Manager on an Ophthalmology visit. Stayed in a very quaint Guest House (which is where I will probably book when Rob and I have our trip to Hereford. Didn't get to see a huge amount of the city but had a very nice dinner there and the sun was shining the following day, so #winning.

17. Norwich - The first of my Trust visits. I got up at ridiculous o'clock in the morning to drive there but actually the traffic wasn't bad. However, travelling in an easterly direction first thing in the morning was not fun for my eyes - the sun constantly in my face! This is where I also met Rob for the first time. Following the meeting I found a quick little geocache around the corner before heading back home.

18. Plymouth - Tiring train journey but lovely views on the way. Stayed in a Travelodge and Rob said "we can do better in future"! The locality of the hotel was pretty good as it was a stone's throw from the hospital. Had a nice meal with Rob when he arrived, at the pub across the road from the hotel. I think where we were was slightly outside of where the city centre was and didn't get to see much of the coast apart from when I was on the train.

19 & 20. Newcastle-upon-Tyne & Durham - We did both of these visits in one day although made our way from Southport to Newcastle the night before. Our morning visit was actually in Gateshead but we had to get there from Newcastle so that counts. I took a photo of the bridges coming into the station. I can't believe on the journey between the two in the cab I missed spotting the "Angel of the North". I was too busy looking at the route the driver was taking! The weather was also abysmal. 

The bridges in Newcastle

21 & 22. Derby & Bradford - Two others done in the same day. Early start to travel to Derby. Visit done and then headed to Bradford for the afternoon.

23. Lincoln - Another hospital visit - travelled up the night before. Interesting city - reminded me a little of York. The cathedral looked amazing and it was right opposite the hotel we were staying in. I got to Lincoln and thought I would get an Uber to the hotel. Opened the app - no Ubers!!! This is a city...in the UK...no Ubers? Apparently, the city council banned Uber. I managed to call a taxi from a number I saw on the side of one of the taxis that had driven into the station forecourt. The taxi driver told me that Uber had been banned but also that black cabs HAVE to be black (no ads and no other colours). Mini cabs can be any colour but NOT black. Uber were told if they wanted to work in Lincoln it would have to be from an office base - we know this is not how Uber works!

Outside the station (not a prison camp)

Lincoln Cathedral

24 & 25. Sheffield & Wakefield - Visited these two places in one day. Travelled to Sheffield from Macclesfield the evening before. We checked into the hotel and decided to head into the city centre to grab a bite to eat. The Uber driver was giving us a guided tour and eventually dropped us in the centre at the cathedral. The city was dead! Hardly anyone around; no hustle and bustle; no noise. The city is usually filled with students but they were all probably out with their parents preparing for graduation the following day. We got a good deal at the sushi restaurant we had found in the city, had a wander around afterwards and then went back to the hotel. Headed to our meeting the following morning to the Jessop Wing at Royal Hallamshire Hospital and had a meeting in a very big lecture theatre. Wakefield in the afternoon was more of a dash into Wakefield Kirkgate, get to the hospital, and then get home from Wakefield Westgate. At least we got to visit both stations!

Sheffield Cathedral

15 cities to go! This is going to be a piece of cake. 

39. Drive a European car in Europe

I've always felt a little reluctant to drive in another country - the other side of the car on the other side of the road. I'm a very good driver so I should, theoretically, be a pro!

This year, in August, I will have been driving for 20 years...yes, 20!!! Every time I've been to The Netherlands I've been told I should try to drive the car in Makkum - the roads are quiet but I've chickened out at the last minute. Instead I've watched Matheus' parents and sister drive, all the while watching and trying to build up some confidence; after all, it will be their car I will be driving. The good thing about driving in The Netherlands is that the driver is insured to drive any car whereas in the UK it's the car that's insured.

I finally mustered up the courage to drive the car this month when we had a lovely weekend in Makkum celebrating Matheus' Mum's 60th. It was just Matheus and I in the car and Matheus was filming.

One thing you can take away from this; the Makkum resort is so lovely!

Thanks to Matheus for filming and to his parents for the use of their car.

14. Donate £40 a year to charities (Year 5)

So, since my last blog about this which was a year ago I have donated a fair bit - not only in monetary terms but in time too.

6th July 2016

I donated £10 to John Parker (from Nizlopi) because his brother and sister took part in a memory walk for the Alzheimer's Society in Birmingham on 11th September 2016. 

1st August 2016

My lovely friend Martin Williams decided he was going to take part in the London to Brighton cycle ride for NSPCC also on 11th September 2016. I donated £15.

Amazing fundraising!

29th August 2016

My friend, Laura, gave birth to Aidan 3 months' early. It was a hard time for her and her husband, Gavin. So, to honour Aidan's first birthday on this date they wanted to raise money for Bliss - a charity for premature and sick babies. I immediately headed to the link and donated £10.

He's so cute!!

18th September 2016

My friend Marion likes a charity walk! She's very generous with her time and her feet. She completed the MS Walk on 25th September 2016 for Multiple Sclerosis Society. I donated £10 but she and her friend, Emma, managed to raise well over £500.

MS Superhero Marion - doesn't even look out of breath

So, at this point I had already donated over £40 but I didn't stop there.

23rd September 2016

Jeans for Genes Day - that was also the day I found myself with my first, new, crisp £5 note. So, what did I do? Put it straight in the donation bucket at the building where I worked.

2nd November 2016

I donated £10 to my bass player, Carl, when he decided to grow a mo for Movember. Movember raises money for testicular cancer research. 

Great moustache, Carl

18th November 2016

Children In Need - I donate £10 to them every year - without fail. I seriously can't watch some of the videos without crying. Last year I got the opportunity to sit in a pre-recording of part of the show. Luckily I didn't have to travel far - Elstree Studios.

16th December 2016

I think that the work Macmillan do is incredibly important. I have donated a lot to this charity in the past. I was saddened at the news of my friend, Ray's, brother's passing the day before. They come across as a very close family so this must have been a massive heartache. I made a donation of £10 to the charity in his memory. 

30th May 2017

Just yesterday I made a donation of £5 to Macmillan for an eCard for my friend, Nicole's birthday, in memory of her late mum, Pamela. I wanted to do this rather than get a card from a shop as I thought it would mean more to her.

Another year of donations, totalling £85, for worthy causes. 

As well as donating money to charity, I also donated my time to Crohn's & Colitis UK by organising a live music night on World IBD Day - Friday 19th May. I selected some acts who had donated tracks to the No Bum Notes charity albums to perform at The Flag in Watford. Massive thanks to Adrian Roye, Minnie Birch, Zoe Konez and Tom Craven for being so awesome donating their time and music to the cause as well. The night raised a grand total of £233 and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. I even got a thank you from the charity, below. You can view videos of certain performances here - go ahead and "Like" the page while you're there.

Thank you letter

29. Post 40 online reviews (Part 2)

I've posted three more reviews since the last time I posted about doing online reviews (September 2016).

Matheus and I did a cheese-making course which was a present from his siblings but they'd bought it for two people. We chose to go to the Bishop's Stortford class as it was the nearest. Once there, we learnt how to make ricotta, mozzarella, paneer, cream cheese and goats cheese. There were other couples in the class as well. I made the goats cheese and Matheus made the cream cheese. We had to make soft cheeses because hard cheeses take too long to make and mature. We also got to make focaccia bread with rosemary and tomatoes to eat with the cheese at the end.

We really enjoyed the class and we were asked at the end to do a review if we didn't mind. I'd never really thought of posting reviews of courses online but I thought I would.

Read my review here (sorry didn't take any photos). 

My fourth review was of another course which I received as a present from my birthday from Matheus' parents - CHOCOLATE MAKING! I only just got around to doing the course at the beginning of this month. I was so looking forward to learning how to make truffles and was hoping they would show us how to temper chocolate as well. Unfortunately, there was no tempering involved but the truffle-making was so easy. There was no spoon-licking allowed in this class! This was a very strict rule. It felt like such a waste wiping it on kitchen towels!!! First we had to make a slab similar to Hotel Chocolat but make a shape - the most original would have won a prize. Then we made our truffles. I wish I'd used more fudge to bulk them out but they tasted good anyway. The review can be found here.

My Star Slab

My truffles

We actually have people coming around for tea tomorrow (Bank Holiday Monday) so I've made these bad boys!

Truffles for tomorrow
Top Row - Dark Chocolate, Rose Water and Raspberry
2nd Row - Dark Chocolate, Peppermint & Mint Chips
3rd Row - Dark Choc, Orange, Popping Candy & White Choc Drizzle
Bottom Row - Milk Chocolate with Dark & White Drizzle

Anyway, back to the reviews. The following weekend we went to York (finally). It was almost as I remembered it as a kid. It was so much fun going to all the same places again and new places as an adult. We had pre-booked a lovely looking bistro before the weekend, which overlooks York Minster. The meal was exceptional. Due to my food issues they were really supportive and couldn't do enough for me. I like this restaurant so much that I'm making sure to come here with my work colleague the night before our York Hospital visit! You can read my review here.

Upon writing these reviews I obtained three more badges. One of these is the "Senior Reviewer" because I've posted five reviews. Once I've done 10 reviews I'll be a Contributor, 20 and I'll be a Senior Contributor and 50 will make me a Top Contributor. I guess I'll have to carry on after 40 then.

18. Do 40 cover versions and post online (Part 4)

I've managed to learn a few more songs and post them online so please find below.

22. Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough (originally performed by Patty Smyth with Don Henley)

I've always loved this song and have played it numerous times in my living room on my own but, when I purchased my harmony pedal, I decided it was time to take the song live. So, here I am on 20th March 2016 at The Hare & Hounds in St Albans performing the song.

23. Dreams (originally performed by Fleetwood Mac)

On 25th September 2016 I performed with an incarnation of my band at The Flag in Watford. Fleetwood Mac are one of my favourite bands (post-Peter Green era). I love this song because of the lyrics and the easy chords! My band were phenomenal as always. Beautiful harmonies (and percussion) from Lauren Merrifield of The Caution Horses and The Faeries; superb guitar work and harmonies from Ben Eaton and the brilliant Carl Jorgensen tying us all together with his cool bass line.

24. Do You Want To Build A Snowman/Last Christmas - Mash-Up (originally from the Frozen motion picture/originally performed by Wham!)

One of my favourite mash-ups that I've done. It seemed to go down a treat when I had another visit to The Flag in Watford for a Christmas show on 10th December 2016. I've always loved "Last Christmas" as a Christmas song. When I learnt the chords to "Do You Want To Build A Snowman" to surprise my niece, I realised that "Last Christmas" would follow seamlessly afterwards. I practised this a few times and knew I was onto a winner. I had actually performed it a year before at The LP Cafe in Watford. Lauren Merrifield (mentioned above) said she absolutely loved what I'd done with the song, so it stuck. I dare say I'll be playing it in Christmas 2017 as well...and probably with the antlers!

25. A Different Corner (originally performed by George Michael)

George Michael's death hit me quite hard. I was never a massive fan like my sister who had found that his music had helped her through some tough times growing up. I just appreciated his music and songwriting and enjoyed listening to it. I am so thankful that I got to see him perform live. I'm not sure whether it was bought for me at the time or whether it was owned by my parents but we had a 12" vinyl version of this song in the house. Side A was the single and the B-side was an instrumental version. From what I remember it was a white cover with a black border around the edge and the title of the song and George's name was in black text in the centre. I would play the instrumental version over and over and sing over the top of it. After he passed away, I knew I had to cover the song. Clearly, Chris Martin got in there first but, I still wanted to do it anyway. So, I learnt it and performed it at The Bedford Tavern on 14th March 2017. 

26. Something Changed (originally performed by Pulp)

This is another song that was pledged for in my Pledge Campaign which was many moons ago now and I'm ashamed that I still haven't finished people's pledge videos - mainly due to the fact I don't like how I look on camera these days. I think I only have about 3 left to do. Nearly there. I have to say, I had to listen to this song A LOT to learn the lyrics and, even though I've never been a massive fan of Pulp in the past, I really, really like this song. I hope you like my version of it. 

14 covers to go!

40. Visit 40 cities in the UK (Part 1)

I FINALLY DID IT! After nearly seven years, I handed in my notice at my job. I'm moving to a job in the NHS. Very exciting opportunity. I'm going to be travelling around the country visiting Obstetric & Gynaecology departments at a number of Hospitals Trusts. Not sure of the nitty gritty yet but it's a good meaty project to sink my teeth into. I start at the end of March.

As I'll be doing a massive amount of travelling, I thought I would add this to my 40 list. I have visited a number of cities already. I'm not including the City of Westminster or the City of London - those are too easy as I've worked in both.

Alphabetically

1. Bath - for a birthday weekend with someone not worth mentioning. Lovely city though. Have you had a scone from Sally Lunn's? Wow!

2. Belfast - I've been twice. First time was for the National Hospital Radio Awards (the first time a group from Northwick Park Hospital had attended - since I was a volunteer anyway). The second time was last year for the BOA Annual Congress.

3. Birmingham - for another BOA Annual Congress.

4. Brighton - I've been a number of times with friends, a BOA Annual Congress and my Hen Weekend.

5. Bristol - I went to visit someone who I was going to be organising a fundraising event with for Joint Action but it never came to pass in the end.

6. Cambridge - I went for the day (I don't remember staying over) with someone else not worth mentioning. Nice city - lots of "sleeping policemen".

7. Chelmsford - I've done about three gigs here. A friend of mine with exceptional taste in music lives here.

8. Chester - One of my best mate's and I visited here on our way back from Liverpool. Walked around the wall of the city. Weather was a bit rubbish but the city was really nice - it has that "Ye Olde" vibe! I'd definitely go back.

9. Glasgow - my first BOA Congress and a hospital radio awards weekend (I'd forgotten my passport but luckily they let me on).

10. Liverpool - my absolute favourite city in the UK. BEATLES - need I say more? I've been a number of times with my best mate and some other friends (and also the first someone not worth mentioning). Also, went to a BOA Congress here. There is so much I still need to do here. Can you believe I have yet to do the Magical Mystery Tour? I can, at the very least, say that I have done a gig in Liverpool (at Constellations).

11. Manchester - again, a BOA Congress - also managed to fit in a gig on one of the evenings at the Thirsty Scholar. Matheus and I also have friends in Manchester and visited them last year.

12. St Albans - I know this is an easy one. It's the nearest city to me but I had never really spent any time in St Albans until my parents moved here. I've done a number of gigs here and eaten at many restaurants in the area. 

13. Winchester - I was here very briefly so you may think it doesn't count. I had a university interview at King Alfred's before I decided that university wasn't the road for me. I wish I'd gotten to see more of the city so I hope I can remedy this soon.

14. York - I visited this city with my school year when I was about 10 years old. I still remember every single place we went and what we did every day of that week. Matheus and I are thinking about visiting soon - it's his kind of place. 

Where will the next few months take me? Who knows! I'll keep you posted.