Paperback Writer - the Sequel

I suppose you want an update on the whole Babs Cartland adventure.  Yes, with photos.  After all, who wouldn't want to set themselves up on the internet to be ridiculed by all and sundry.  

This morning I decided to go the whole hog and get myself some false eyelashes - if a thing's worth doing, etc etc.

Didn't want to go TOO overboard though, so after lengthy deliberation I chose some 'natural-look' lashes designed by Girls Aloud.  Who'd have thought those talented songstresses would have had the time and inclination to design false eyelashes?

A considerable amount of water has flowed under the bridge since I last wore false eyelashes, and they are every bit as difficult to put on now as they were years ago.  But, with persistence,  they were eventually stuck in place, although sadly, I'm afraid the overall effect was more Danny La Rue than Cheryl Cole.  

I obviously wasn't short of bling, thanks to my serious charity-shop-diamante addiction.  (I actually thought I had it under control, then I spotted that real diamond tiara for 3 quid, and I was back off the wagon)  I wonder if you can get a week in the Priory for a costume jewellery habit.

Anyway, enough of the waffle, I guess you just want to see the proof.

Here's me hanging about backstand, awaiting my entrance, firstly wearing a black lace dress that Ms Cartland had specially made for a TV interview following the death of Princess Di

And then the more traditional pink

And here's a selection of the other ladies in their various outfits ..

 

It's not every day you get the opportunity to wear a bit of history, so I'm glad I did it, and we did all have a laugh.  Oh, and thanks to my mates who turned up in support ( and took the photos) - although to the one who said it was a 'cracking night' - you really do need to get out more.

It was a bit of a cultural leap from earlier in the day - I'd had a guitar lesson when I'd spent an hour or so desperately  trying to play 'If You Wanna' by the Vaccines.  That was brilliant - and much more me.

Now, I bet you CAN get in The Priory for multiple personality disorder.

Paperback Writer

Tonight, Matthew, I am going to be Barbara Cartland.

As reported in the local press, there is to be a charity event in Hertford this evening, where I and some other barmy volunteers will be wearing some of Barbara's frocks.

I will try and ensure someone gets some photographic evidence, and if it's not TOO hideous, I'll post it here tomorrow.  Obviously, I may just wish to draw a veil over the whole thing.

Of course, if you are near the Corn Exchange in Hertford yourself this evening, you may wish to come and see for yourself!

Anyone remember how to put false eyelashes on???

Paperback Writer - Beatles

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

I'm writing this from my sick bay - I am full of germ and aches and had to cancel a shopping trip today, so I MUST feel rough.  And, I didn't get up until about a 12.30, which is most unlike me.  Anyway, enough moaning, a brief word about what I've been doing this week before I was struck down.

I went on a girls night at MANICS - no, it's not a nightclub - it's a china painting shop (much more fun and you don't have to teeter about in ridiculous heels and a boob tube)  You choose a piece of once-fired pottery, paint your design, and then leave it to be glazed and re-fired and collect it a couple of days later.  It was really good fun and I'll do it again.  Here's what I did (predictably)

Or, if I'm feeling delicate and ladylike, I can turn it around -

 

On Friday, ignoring a slightly sore throat, I did a 7 or 8 mile walk on Friday around Much Hadham, Perry Green and Widford, including through Henry Moore's garden

Actually, it wasn't supposed to take us THROUGH the garden, we were supposed to skirt round it, but my map reading left a bit to be desired.  The groundsmen were very nice though, and didn't have us done for trespassing, and even pointed us in the right direction.

The walk took longer than we anticipated, not least because the book I was going by was published about 20 years ago, meaning that one of the pubs referred to is now a private residence, so we missed it, and then one of the footpaths had been diverted and it took us ages to find our way back to where we should be.  Then finally, one of the fields we were due to cross had horses in it.  I'm fine with them, but my friend confided that she doesn't do horses, so we had to do barbed wire instead.  We both decided 'under' was probably preferable to 'over' so we had to lie flat on our backs and wriggle under the fence, which is difficult when you can't stop laughing.  Needless to say, there are no photographs of that bit.  Anyway, we got back safely, and had tea and cake at Hopleys Garden Centre.  

Which only left me about an hour and a half to get home, shower and change and go out again for a gig at the Corn Exchange in Hertford - Whole Lotta Led, who were brilliant as always, and if you are a Led Zep fan I recommend you check them out.

Yesterday, I helped out with Young Embroiderers', and under Gina's  excellent tutorage, we all made 'Button Babes'.  See Gina's blog for photographs of all the wonderful work the Young Embroiderers produced, but here's what one Old Embroiderer came up with.

I just hope I didn't give them all my germs.  Must go, I need another hundredweight of tissues and another lie down.

Lazy Sunday Afternoon - Small Faces