Sellafield
It was reported in the press that people in Copeland are being asked for their views on plans that could see Sellafield store radioactive waste from dismantled nuclear submarines.
Sellafield is one of five sites under consideration to house intermediate level waste from 27 soon-to-be dismantled Royal Navy subs.
The Submarine Dismantling Project will oversee the disposal of the subs that are due to have left Naval service by the mid 2030s. The 19 which have already left service are stored afloat at Rosyth and Devonport where the dismantling will take place at a rate of about one per year.
The radioactive waste taken from the subs will be stored at either Sellafield; Chapelcross near Annan; Aldermaston and Burghfield, both Berkshire or Capenhurst in Cheshire
Once a site is chosen – expected to be in mid-2016 – it will be used for interim storage of reactor components until after 2040, when the UK Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) is planned to come into operation, say officials.
NDA
The NDA has revealed how it intends to meet the country's nuclear decommissioning challenges over the next three years in a draft business plan that has been opened to public consultation.
The 53-page draft business plan covers the period from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2018. It sets out key objectives and expected progress for all 17 of NDA's sites over that period, as well as giving a 20-year overview of forthcoming activities across NDA's estate. The NDA says it plans to spend £3.31 billion ($5.17 billion) in 2015-2016 alone, of which £2.09 billion ($3.27 billion) will be funded by the UK government and £1.22 billion ($1.91) by income from commercial operations. The NDA is still receiving income from the last Magnox reactor and Wylfa, which is due to cease operations in December 2015.
NDA CEO John Clarke said that in the past decade the NDA had completed the restructuring of the UK's civil decommissioning program and the introduction of a "decommissioning mindset" to the estate. "The challenge for the next decade is to build upon this and deliver a number of our sites into their interim end states having completed bulk decommissioning, along with the removal of the majority of the nuclear waste," he said.
The consultation will close on 30 January, after which the NDA will revise the plan as appropriate. Subject to final approval by the governments of the UK and Scotland, the NDA expects to publish the final version in early April.
NuGen – New Build
NuGen has signed a co-operation agreement with HM Treasury to promote financing for a new nuclear power station at Moorside, West Cumbria.
The agreement establishes a process to enable access to the UK Guarantee scheme. The UK Guarantee Scheme was introduced in 2012 to accelerate investments in major infrastructure projects, and is a key component of any future financing structure for new low-carbon power plants.
NuGen and HM Treasury will work together to see how the Scheme can support arrangement of external project finance for Moorside, set to be the UK's largest new nuclear power station project.
NuGen awards 'environmental services' contract to AMEC Foster Wheeler
NuGen is powering ahead with plans for its Moorside project in West Cumbria, awarding a major environmental services contract to AMEC Foster Wheeler, an international engineering and project management company.
The contract, which begins with immediate effect, is one of the first publicly announced contracts and signals NuGen's upward shift in driving forward the multi-billion pound project - the largest nuclear new build project in Europe.
AMEC Foster Wheeler will provide specialised environmental consultancy support in preparation for the three AP1000® Westinghouse reactors planned to be constructed by 2026. The reactors, once operational, will generate 3.4GW of electricity, equating to seven percent of the UK's total electricity requirements.
That is great news that NuGen have awarded a major project. I hope they are going to be putting pressure on Amec Foster Wheeler to engage with local businesses to support them with the delivery.
NIA London Dinner
Last week, like many of you, I went to the NIA Dinner in London and this is the reason you didn't get a blog last week. I have to say that, as always, this was a fantastic, very well attended event. I was on the BECBC table and it was lovely to have dinner and chat to our members. The food was fantastic and Rory Bremner was very amusing. After dinner there was a band and dancing. It was so lovely to have this opportunity to chat to friends who you only see a couple of times a year, but also to make some new business contacts. What does always amuse me at this event is how absolutely drunk people get. Now I know that I am a big square when it comes to alcohol and probably only have a drink a few times a year maximum. I also make a point of never drinking at business events and if I do I would only have a couple at the most. For me personally, I view it as a professional networking opportunity and I would hate for my clients and potential clients to see me drunk and incapable. Still it seems most acceptable within our industry and I have to say as a sober person it is very entertaining to watch!
Local News
I was disappointed to read in the press that there is concern over whether M-Sports 19m car testing centre will be approved by Allerdale councillors. The meeting they were due to have to make the decision was cancelled just hours before. It has been said that if approval isn't given then M-Sport would consider relocating their whole operation outside of the County. The new testing centre would create 100 jobs.
NuExec Consulting
We have had a great year this year. With some fantastic achievements:
• 3 Years of trading
• Emma-Jayne becoming a board member of BECBC after 5 years in the Senior Management Team
• The securing of LLWR Managed Service of Permanent Recruitment
• Working with a number of new clients
• Building upon our established relationships
• The blog growing in numbers to over 1500 weekly readers
• An office move
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our clients and candidates for their business over the past year and we look forward to working with you again in 2015!
12 Months of Blogging
Here is a collection of my favourite blog moments from each month of this year:
January
Sellafield
Poor old Tony Price! After I was singing his praises in what I thought was a good move by NMP to put him incharge of Sellafield, it looks like before Christmas he made a bit of a school boy error. I am sure you all read the reports but as I haven't blogged since before the Public accounts committee was held, I thought I best just give my view on it all.
So apparently, at the Public Accounts Committee, Tony (first name terms) hailed the vitrification plant as one of the "successes" at Sellafield. When he was asked if there were any problems with the plant he apparently said it was running as usual and the staff were able to work there as normal. Not a smart move really, when the whole industry knew there was a problem with the plant vent systems on Line 3, which meant some staff couldn't get to their workplace due to radiation levels.
So, like a naughty schoolboy being told off by a teacher for telling fibs, Ms Hodge is looking into the punishment for misleading the committee.
Maybe a public flogging or putting him in the stocks and throwing sponges or tomatoes at him? Muncaster have a great stock outside the Castle, maybe we could use that?
In all seriousness, my opinion is that he didn't purposely mislead them. I just don't think that he had enough information about the incident to judge the severity. Had he mentioned it without all the answers, he would have been deemed incompetent and uninformed! I think it is a case of "you are damned if you do and you are damned if you don't!"
Supply Chain Soap Box
I don't usually soap box on behalf of other people but this week I feel I need to. Now I understand recruitment better than most (at least I should do as it is my business) and it is a tough market at the moment. People are really struggling to find good people. As is always the case in industry, many people move from company to company and this is inevitable but it has been brought to my attention that maybe Sellafield has been acting unethically. (Please note Rory I use the word maybe as I am just repeating what I have been told by more than one company in the supply chain)
There are certain local organisations who invest a great deal in blue collar workers. They take people from outside the industry, they train them, get them clearance and a P4 pass and invest in getting them nuclear ready. We are talking people like fitters, electricians, young engineers etc. Then what is happening is the guys work on site and seem to be "spotted" by Sellafield which results in them being offered a role with Sellafield. Of course this means a higher salary, more holidays, better pensions etc so these young guys decide that joining Sellafield is what they should do. As a result not only has the supply chain company lost a great deal of money from what they invested in their employee but they are also left in a situation whereby they can't deliver the work for Sellafield as they don't have the resource to do it. So their only option is to either go through the whole process again of employing out of industry, or to try and poach from the other supply chain companies which makes for bad relations. When we are constantly being told the only way to work for Sellafield is through collaboration it isn't breeding the right grounds for collaborative working.
Now as I have said this isn't just one company that has told me this but one company did approach Sellafield about the issue. So I asked them who they spoke to and what response they got. They allegedly spoke to middle management and was told "well you will just have to make your company more attractive then, won't you."
So Sellafield, for the supply chain to "make their companies more attractive" that would mean offering the same terms as you. So higher salaries, thousands of holidays and all the other super benefits you offer. So what do you think the result of that will be? You will have to pay more for the work to be carried out to compensate for the increase in terms to their employees meaning more cost to the tax payer.
I have to say I am really disappointed by this. You would think by now there would be some sort of agreement in place to safe guard against this happening and to ensure that everyone can have Exceptional Individuals to deliver the work to time, cost and quality.
February
Soapbox Supply Chain
I have to say I have become progressively disappointed over the past few weeks with the behaviour of the supply chain. Now for once this is not a pop at the big boys but a kick up the butt to the smaller local companies. I have been hearing of unethical behaviour, poaching of staff from other local SME's and most disappointingly, a complete lack of desire and interest in working with smaller organisations who are keen to get involved and support them in the work they are doing. Now I have to say I personally haven't been subject to this so it isn't from my perspective, but it seems that companies are getting blocked at the first hurdle in even getting the chance to engage with some of these companies to tell them about what they have to offer.
I appreciate as a small business myself that time is precious, but remember the fight you all had to get Sellafield to engage or the larger Tier 1 or 2 Organisations, so in essence you are copying the behaviours that you complained about. Perhaps we should all take a look at ourselves and ask if we are behaving in business in a manner that is appropriate? Would you accept the behaviours you are displaying from other businesses? This isn't just specific to small companies and is something we can all do, regardless of our position in a company or the size of it, and ask: "Am I really conducting myself in a professional manner that I can be proud of? Will I be respected within the industry for my behaviours? Yes I have to run a profitable business, but am I playing a fair game?"
If you answer no to this questions maybe you should consider readjusting your behaviour, or maybe you are happy to be "that person!" Just remember though, life has a funny way of coming round and biting us on the backside and what goes around comes around!
It Could Only happen to Me
On Wednesday morning I did my normal Legs, Bums and Tums class. Although this week instead of fast paced interval training it was more focussed on core strength with lots of planks and sit up type exercises. Toward the end of class we had to do something called a V Sit. Now for those of you who don't know what these are you go up in a sit up position and then raise straight legs so you make a v shape. Now this is a really hard thing to hold and takes such stomach strength to do. So there I was squeezing my stomach with all my strength when out popped a big fart! - Mortified does not come close. I thought for a minute about what I should do about this incident and did the only thing I could think of. I raised my hand and said "Excuse me I have just farted!"
March
Local News
I have heard on many occasions the phrase 'Cumbrian Pounds', I have even used the terminology myself, but imagine my shock when I read an article that stated there is a bid being made to launch a 'Cumbrian Pound' which would give us our own currency. Now I may be missing something here, but is this not ludicrous?
Apparently so the article explained "It would be a way to ensure money earned in Cumbria is spent with local businesses and could also provide them with an interest free means of credit.
Alternative currencies are already proving popular in other parts of the UK with over 600 firms signed up to the Bristol Pound, the country's largest scheme. The council accepts Bristol Pounds for business rates and council tax and they are also accepted on local buses."
It would cost around £40,000 to get the "Cumbrian Pound" up and running and they can see it being bought by tourists as souvenirs. – Honestly what on earth!
Apparently they need to get genuine businesses (not sure what makes a genuine business as oppose to an un-genuine one) involved and it needs to be well managed, so they are hoping the county council will help take a lead.
I for one can think of much better things to spend £40,000 on!
April
SDP
So who wants to know who has won SDP........Well I have heard the winner is...I can't believe you fell for that. I have to say this is such an exciting competition and it seems the whole supply chain has an interest in some way over the outcome. Everyone you speak to has a different opinion and view of it. Some are saying the winners will definitely be Nuvia as they have the knowledge of the projects, others are saying it will definitely be the Atkins, Mace, Areva partnership as Mace are in favour. I've heard that Nuvia have been winning lots of work as a sweetener because they aren't going to win but then I am hearing that Atkins, Mace and Areva were way too expensive. The fact is, it is all just speculations and none of us know who the winners will be. I know who I want to win but that unfortunately has no bearing. So we will all have to wait patiently until the 14th April for the very long awaited announcement.
Born Survivor
This feels like an absolute lifetime ago now but I am proud to say that on the 5th April with Team Xtreme from Xtreme Fitness beside me, I completed Born Survivor. It was 12km with 30 obstacles and was without doubt the biggest challenge I have ever undertaken. The running was not even normal running but was through thick mud and the obstacles included wading through rivers, going through tunnels into thick mud where you had to slide along on your tummy under barbed wire, 12 foot walls just to mention a few. My favourite obstacle had to be the mud slide. I really wanted to go down on my bum but as first to the top all my Xtreme team mates were cheering me on and encouraging me so I threw myself down head first into the mud! My most embarrassing moment, which of course there was bound to be one, was on the last obstacle which was a massive wall that was slanted. The big guys made a human ladder for us to climb up. The thing is, on the last chap in the ladder I got stuck and couldn't quite reach the top to pull myself up. The poor chap said to me "just sit on me". So I did. But I just so happened to sit on his face!!! Honestly the laughter and jeers I got were just not funny and nobody has let me forget it. Every time I see this poor lad I blush beetroot red and feel the need to apologise about "sitting on his face." So yes, I sat on a man's face, but I completed Born Survivor so surely that is something that should be remembered over my incident!
At the end I was absolutely shattered, black and blue with bruises, soaking wet and covered in mud. But I did it and I did it for Cancer Research just like I am doing Hell On The Harbourside for Cancer Research. I have included some photos and if you feel a little proud of me, a little pity for me or you had a chuckle, please follow the link and make a donation to my cause. Every pound makes a difference.
May
Cumbria Excellence Day / Soapbox
On Tuesday was Cumbrian Excellence Day which was an opportunity to celebrate the excellence of Cumbrian SME's. It was fantastic to see 65 stands there and there was a real buzz. All the businesses were networking together, not only were they selling to each other but they were sharing ideas and giving each other advice. It was fantastic to see all these inspiring, entrepreneurs' and passionate people all together in one room. But, and isn't there always a but, I was hugely disappointed by the lack of attendance at the event from those not exhibiting. All these passionate SME's took a day out of their businesses to show the Tier 1 and 2 organisations their capabilities and guess what? None of them bothered taking a couple of hours out of their day to support us Actually that is a bit unfair Mott Macdonald and Arup were there, Gary McKeating from NMP and Stuart Wilson from Sellafield came. George Beveridge, Sellafield and Ron Gorman, NDA spoke but whizzed off pretty sharpish. Also LLWR procurement guys were there and, credit to them, they really do engage with SME's and give them a chance which is noticed and appreciated throughout the supply chain. But where were all the other companies? For example where were: Amec, Cavendish, Jacobs, Doosan Power Systems, Atkins, Areva, Assystem, Morgan Sindall, Balfour Beatty, Carillion, Costain, EnergySolutions, Mace and Nuvia to name a few? Some may have attended and I didn't see them, but it is unlikely, and I will happily take it back and congratulate you if you did come, but to the rest of you: "SHAME ON YOU!" Shame on you for filling Sellafield with all the same bullshit that you want to work with SME's and they are in your supply chain blah blah blah when in essence you don't give two hoots and some of you (not all) have awful ethics; no regard for SME's and make it impossible for us to work with you. Well do you know what whilst you are sitting in your ivory towers, I will be speaking with the best people in the nuclear industry. Those extraordinary individuals that can add such value to your business and you will miss out. Not only that, you will miss out on the fantastic capabilities, innovation, passion and skills that these wonderful Cumbrian SME's have – so put that in your pipe and smoke it!
It could only happen to me
So on Thursday I had what can only be described as "One of those Mornings" I woke in the night with a really bad head and knew I was facing a morning migraine. So, as anticipated, when I woke in the morning I had a banging head and felt incredibly sick. In addition, my work emails had been "spoofed" meaning thousands of emails were being sent from NuExec about penis enlarging, erection problems, orgasms and obesity! So stressed and feeling awful and it being 5.30am in the morning, I popped some pills and headed to the gym for spinning, armed with my laptop to give to Lisa so she could liaise with our IT guys while I attended a four hour board meeting. On the drive to the gym twice I thought I was going to have to stop to be sick but I made it there and managed the class. I got home and Stefan was waiting outside as he had been summoned into work early. So I rushed in to the house and got the girls up and then headed to the shower. I was half way through washing my hair and the fire alarm sounded. Knowing the girls were downstairs on their own I flew out of the shower completely naked with shampoo everywhere. Firstly I found Caity crying on the stairs because Maddy did "pinch and punch first of the month" I stepped over her and dashed down to the kitchen to see what was going on to find Maddy crying as she thought it would be funny to burn Caity's toast without realising that the result would be smoke, the fire alarm going off and a very cross Mummy. As if this wasn't enough, to top it all off, as I am standing dripping wet naked and covered in shampoo the neighbour glanced in the window and I immediately took the 'OMG I am naked' pose trying to cover my inappropriate areas! Morale of the story – Some days you should just stay in bed!
June
Sellafield Supplier Forum
So yesterday was the Sellafield Supplier Forum and I have to say what a fab day. I actually left feeling excited. Not only that, but on the drive home I was thinking about how genuinely lucky I feel to be part of such a fantastic industry. I spoke to so many people some new and some old friends who I haven't seen for at least 4 years and I felt genuinely blessed to know and engage with such wonderful people. – I know that sounds corny and soppy and of course there were a few arseholes there but I will tell you about them later!
Stuart Wilson opened the Supplier Forum and he had something different about him. He was very engaging and really enthused. He spoke passionately and made a well-received joke about how football and the open was on so it was great that the day was a sell out.
He went on to say that they have listened to the suppliers and have constructed the agenda around what they have asked for.
It was a perfect opportunity for SME's to engage with key partners. Stands would welcome open networking.
There were lots of other presentations which I wish I had been able to see but I was juggling the presentations with manning the BECBC stand. So whilst I was networking I caught a conversation which demonstrates the few arseholes there as mentioned earlier:
So there was a group of 4 guys chatting and they announced to start moving through to the relevant rooms. So one of the guys said "What's on next?" another said "SME engagement or something?" to which a well-known Tier 2 organisation's Director said "I'm a £1.4 billion turnover business I've got no interest in that!"
Now I could name and shame but I don't see the value in that. What I will say is this attitude is so disappointing. These Tier 2's are the exact organisations who should be learning about SME engagement. It's all well and good them having ridiculous PSL's that no SME would be able to infiltrate but they have to start understanding the value SME's could bring to their business. It isn't all about getting the cheapest possible price it's about value for money and this is exactly what SME's provide. I've said this before but you could buy a loaf of Aldi's own bread for 30p but the quality won't be great and it won't last and you won't really enjoy eating it but it's cheap and fulfils a purpose. Or you could go to the local bakers and get a freshly made loaf of bread. So it will cost you 80p, but that baker will have been up since 4am to bake it using the best local ingredients. You will go in to buy it and you will be greeted with a friendly smile and you will have a craic and feel really valued as a customer and not only that but the bread will be delicious and exceed expectation! – What would you rather buy?
Anyhow to close and summarise on the day! I say hats off to Sellafield and all involved. I found the day excellent. Fantastic passionate presentations, excellent networking, a real buzz. But more than all that it was believable!
6 Year Reflection
Last week saw the anniversary of my six years in Cumbria and it is times like this that really make you reflect and reminisce. Personally I have been through some major events in my life incorporating many things but that is a story in itself. I remember when I arrived in Cumbria and I really couldn't follow a conversation. I couldn't understand why people called each other 'marrows' because where I come from calling someone a vegetable is offensive. Why, if your daughter was 'ratching', would you send her to school because surely that is the same as retching ie being sick? Why was 'l'aal' small and why would you have a 'bait box' at work and not for going fishing? Why is eating a jam sandwich offensive? And why would you 'scop it' and not throw it? Oh and the best one which caught me out is why would you have 'pants' instead of trousers? When someone told me I needed waterproof pants for a walk I got really confused and asked if there wasn't a toilet available. Within a couple of weeks I did actually buy a dialect dictionary.
So last week Lisa and I went to Haydock for the Sellafield ASW day and we decided the night before to have a jug of Pimms to celebrate our LLWR win and here started our reminiscing.
So I asked Lisa to tell me honestly what her opinion of me was when she saw me for the first time? Her answer: "You looked like a square in a shit suit! Then I thought I best offer you a coffee as no one else would. "
Naturally my next question was: "What was your opinion of me after working with me for 1 week?" Her answer was: "I thought you were highly strung and posh."
I continued: "Ok so after a month?" "You were a breath of fresh air – and you definitely weren't posh" came the response.
My final question – "So what about now after 6 years?" "I can't imagine my life without you" ahhhh I thought until she added in "even though I am mostly your designated carer!"
We then started talking about our stories over the past 6 years and there were so many. I decided to choose three to share with you:
Banana story
Whilst working at our first agency together I was feeling peckish so went in to the kitchen to eat my snack. I went in picked up my banana and sat down to eat it. I have to say it was without doubt the tastiest banana I have eaten. As I was chomping away another lady came in for her snack. We had a little chat then I went back to my desk. About 10 minutes later Lisa went in to the kitchen and came out absolutely fuming. "Right" she said "Who has eaten my banana??" Everyone looked at her blankly. Then the lady from the kitchen said: "Emma-Jayne was eating a banana, I saw her." Lisa looked at me with absolute daggers. "I was eating a banana" I said "but it was my banana". Suddenly it dawned on me that I hadn't actually brought a banana with me. As Lisa saw the look of horror and guilt spread across my face she started shouting at me. (Honestly it was only a banana you would have thought I had just stabbed her) "I can't believe you ate my banana. I was really looking forward to my banana" she screamed. My response "I am so sorry I really thought it was my banana, but I have to say it was the best banana I have ever eaten!" I really thought at that point she was going to punch me but instead she went off in a proper banana strop!
Under the desk
One morning I arrived in the office and Lisa was in but wasn't at her desk. Being a juvenile delinquent I decided that it would be really funny to hide under her desk. So I crawled under and waited. A couple of minutes later she came in the office and stood by her desk. I reached out and grabbed her leg. I couldn't have asked for a better reaction she absolutely screamed blue murder and climbed up onto the window sill. I laughed so hard I cried.
Dog poo story
Lisa and I went for a walk one lunch time. As we were out she made the fatal error of standing in dog poo. Now normal people would clean the poo off but no not Lisa. She got back to the office and threw away her shoes and went home in bare feet! – And you all thought I was the crazy one!
July
It could only happen to me
So the nerves are beginning to kick in now as the countdown begins to the visit to Holland. We are there for just over a week staying, at Stefan's parent's house with the girls. Now obviously this isn't too bad in itself, but it brings back memories of one of the most embarrassing times of my life.
Let me take you back in time to just over 2 years ago when Stefan took me to Holland for the first time to meet and stay with his parents. Now Stefan and I had only been seeing each other for about 6 months and we weren't anywhere near that stage where you discuss bodily functions. In fact I couldn't even use the bathroom (you know what I mean!) if I was in the same house as him and I would literally go a whole weekend without being able to "go!" We were in Holland for a few days and all was going well. It was early evening and we were just having dinner before embarking on the hour drive to Amsterdam to meet his brother and partner for the first time.
Now I am not sure what his Mum had cooked but as I began eating it I felt that sudden tightening in my stomach. Having not 'been' for 3 days I knew this meant trouble. I continued eating not wanting to be impolite and again I felt that knot and pain in my stomach. I started to panic and then I started to sweat. I started to say in my head: "please not now, please not here." Then the shakes began and my bum was nipped tighter than a Scotsmans wallet. We finished dinner and started to clear away. I then felt the nausea rip over me and knew that a major evacuation was about to take place. I turned to Stefan and said: "I'm just going upstairs to the bathroom to get ready." His response was "Oh we are all going up." Great, his room was right next to the bathroom but there was absolutely nothing I could do, I had to go. So I rushed the bathroom sat down and cried. The force of the exit was loud and there was no way that not only Stefan but his parents would have heard it too. To make matters worse the toilets in Holland aren't like ours and they have a "toilet platform" that holds your produce until flushed. This was filling fast and I began flushing and stressing that they would hear the numerous flushing and know I was having a poo! I am a "nice girl" I shouldn't be pooing in this environment. After about 20 minutes I felt safe to come off the toilet but was faced by my next challenge. There were "marks" on the toilet and no toilet brush. I was burning up and could feel the stress rising. There was only one thing for it – I rolled up my sleeve got some toilet paper and plunged my hand into the toilet to clean it. After ensuring the area was clean I then scrubbed my hands and arm. I took a deep breath and walked out of the bathroom just as Stefan's Dad walked past and he just looked at me and said "poowee" whilst holding his nose. Oh how I wanted the ground to swallow me up. I walked in to the bedroom in tears and said to Stefan "I've got a poorly tummy, did you hear me poo?" I saw the look in his eyes, he had heard and he was disgusted, but he smiled and said "No I didn't hear a thing." He then proceeded in Dutch to tell his Mum I had a bad tummy (oh the shame) and she offered me a mint! But of course it didn't end there we had the hour journey in the car. As I sat in the car feeling awful it suddenly crossed my mind that I was wearing a thong and what an earth would happen if I couldn't hold it? Can you imagine the shame of messing over the car seat the first time you meet the inlaws?? However, it was ok it didn't happen but every time we plan for a visit to Holland the shame comes flooding back.
August
GDF
Oh here we go with the whole "Nuclear Dump" crap again! This really does frustrate me especially as the press seem to love using the term. I wish people would get a grip and see it for what it is: "A highly engineered geological disposal facility!
So the campaigners have vowed to continue their fight to prevent Cumbria hosting an underground nuclear waste store.
The Government set out its new process to search for a site for a geological disposal facility (GDF) to dispose of the country's highly radioactive waste – of which 70 per cent is currently stored in west Cumbria at Sellafield.
Last year the search in Cumbria collapsed when the county council overruled both Copeland and Allerdale's vote to move forward with investigations.
However, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) have revealed in its new white paper, that no single authority in local Government will now be able to veto any decision. Instead they will each have an input and it will be the community which has the final say, through a test of public support.
DECC's new policy will now see two years' worth of investigations take place. In 2016 talks will begin with communities, which will result in £1m being paid each year, increasing to £2.5m if it progresses to bore-hole tests. Site investigations and designing a facility will take up to 20 years and then, construction would begin in late 2020.
I really hope we can educate the people of Cumbria the importance of the GDF facility. Why have 70% of the UK's nuclear waste held in not the safest manner when we could have a 100% in a highly engineered world class facility that provides jobs and security for our children and our children's children. I think it is fab that the community gets to decide and let's hope all those anti GDF people from London who got themselves involved last time will realise their opinion is not required!
It Could Only Happen to Me
I am beginning to think that my life is actually the Truman Show. I keep thinking that there must be hidden cameras following me around because surely all these things don't happen to one person. Well I hope you are sitting comfortably and I would probably recommend getting a cup of tea as this is going to be a long read!
On Thursday 17th July my preparations for Holland began. As we were attending a wedding on the Saturday I felt I should get a spray tan so I didn't have lily white legs. Having only ever had one once before I was full or trepidation. The thought of stripping practically naked in front of a perfect young lady does not fill me with glee. So there I was standing in a booth in nothing but a paper thong with any ounce of dignity far behind me whilst the lady sprayed me from all angles. When she had finished she told me I had to stand in what I can only describe as a muscle man position for 5 minutes to allow it to dry. It was during those ridiculously long 5 minutes that I decided that this would definitely be my last spray tan, after all would anyone really notice or care if I am tanned or not. The lady came in gave me a prod and told me I could slip my dress back on being careful not to rub myself or get wet for at least 8 hours. As I got dressed I decided to keep the paper knickers on to prevent unnecessary rubbing and I shoved my knickers in my bag and headed off to the girls school summer fete. I was standing in the packed hall the girls decided they wanted a go on the tombola, so I pulled my purse out of my bag and my knickers catapulted across the hall. Much to the horror of my girls I quickly hurried across the hall to collect my knickers trying to cause the least amount of fuss as possible.
On Friday we headed to the airport and all seemed fine. The plane was delayed by 30 minutes but that was no big deal and the flight was problem free. As we walked into the airport I said to Stefan "just the luggage to go now then all will be fine." I wish I had kept my mouth shut. As we approached the conveyor first we retrieved my suitcase and then Stefan's. Then we waited and waited but the girls suitcase didn't arrive. Now normally when I go on holiday I always split clothes between suitcases but as we were only going to Holland I didn't bother, so all the girls had was the clothes they stood in, and to make matters worse we were due at a wedding at 2pm the next day. Now I actually stayed uncharacteristically calm and was just so very grateful it hadn't been my case, as if it had I would have without doubt boarded the next flight home. So Stefan went to speak Dutch to the information desk while we sat and waited. It turned out they had no idea where the suitcase was but if it was still in Manchester they could try and get it in on the morning flight and we could collect it then. We headed to his parent's house with a slight glimmer of hope that maybe just maybe the girls wedding outfits that I had spent over £150 on would be there in time for the wedding.
It was approaching 1am when we finally headed to bed after the delay and the suitcase debacle. I was trying to find my toothpaste in my soap bag and managed to cut my hand on my razor. It was one of those stupid cuts that isn't deep but bleeds and bleeds. I was so tired that I decided to put a plaster on and go to sleep. Next morning we were awake early to call the airport to see if there was any news on the suitcase. The answer was no. So we had just a couple of hours to go to the city and buy everything the girls would need for the week plus outfits for the wedding that afternoon. We managed to find underwear and shorts and vest tops without much bother but we couldn't find any wedding outfits. It was like kids don't dress up in Holland. We went to every shop that sold children's clothing, even designer shops and we couldn't find anything. They didn't even have any bridal shops where we could have got little bridesmaids dresses so they looked half decent. We were drastically running out of time so ended up buying some cheap looking dresses that I wouldn't even put them in for a children's party. Stefan was under strict instructions that he must tell everybody that the girl's suitcases was lost and that they both had beautiful designer outfits in their suitcase!
So we got back to the house with about 30 minutes to get ready. I took the plaster off my hand and OMG the plaster had taken off my tan! I had a white plaster mark then a brown square where the pad had been and another plaster mark the other side. It was ridiculous and I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I had two choices either I put on another plaster to hide it or I keep my hand hidden for the duration of the wedding. Rushing to get ready for the wedding I decided to go for the hidden hand option. After all everyone would be looking at the bride not me – and thank god they kiss 3 times instead of shake hands!
The rest of the holiday passed without too much drama but still no suitcase. Stefan had many calls to Easyjet but still no case. On Sunday 9 days after we had arrived we were back at Amsterdam airport and Stefan spoke to the information desk. It turned out that nobody had actually spoken to Manchester Airport so the case could be there. Beyond cross I told Stefan to ask them if we could call Manachester but they didn't have their number and couldn't go on to the internet to google it. They sent us back to the place that luggage comes in and told us to go back and speak to the lady we originally spoke to. Thankfully she could get on google and got a number but said she couldn't get through. I took the number whilst Stefan went to look at their found cases. I called the number and got straight through. So I told the chap about the suitcase that we had lost 9 days earlier and he asked me to hold for a moment. He then told me he was sure he had my suitcase in his hand and could I give him the combination. I gave it to him and he did indeed have our suitcase and I could collect it when we landed in England. I was absolutely delighted that the case was found but was also extremely cross that for 9 days we had had no suitcase when all they needed to do was call Manchester to identify the fact our case was there.
Still we landed at Manchester, picked up our case and headed home!
September
Soapbox - EIF
Do you know, sometimes I feel I must be the most naïve person in the world. It pains me to say it but I am going to have stop believing what people tell me. I am going to have to change my personality from seeing the positive in things, having hope and belief to become negative and jaded about things.
Let me explain – A couple of years ago Sellafield came to speak about a new framework that they were launching to give SME's a chance. They recognised that they never got a look in on the large contracts and that they had some fantastic ideas so they came up with the "Enabling Innovation Framework" (EIF). Now the Tranche 1 of this was going to be a pilot to see how well it would go. The whole point of EIF, from what they told us, was so Sellafield could go to these innovative SME's with a problem and they would come up with a solution. I was so pleased and proud of Sellafield for coming up with this initiative. Ok they may have been bullied into it slightly from some of our more vocal SME's but they were doing it. And over the duration of the framework I saw real passion and commitment from the involved companies. And this wasn't about money this was about people having innovative ideas and being truly passionate about decommissioning and our industry. Of course I also heard from Sellafield a number of times about how successful the framework had been and how they were delighted that SME's would get another chance at the new EIF Tranche 2.
So I can't even explain the feeling I got when I heard who had won EIF 2. Now I probably shouldn't say it because of course it is preferred bidder and still at stand still etc, but I was absolutely disgusted, gutted, disappointed and frustrated to hear that EnergySolutions, Cavendish and Capita had got on to the framework. I mean, for goodness sake, what happened to the reasons this framework was established? What happened to giving SME's a chance? I think shame on these companies for bidding it and shame on Sellafield for awarding it to them. Whatever happened to ethics and sticking to principals and giving these SME's a chance? From my understanding the current incumbents, who didn't retain their place on the framework, and the other bidders all failed on the same question around innovation and demonstrating the skills to deliver the scope. Considering how Sellafield has been singing the successes of those very companies, how can this be?!!
What you have to understand is whoever won or wins the EIF contract actually has no bearing on my business at all, so you would be excused for thinking what an earth has is to do with me. Well I am genuinely beyond passionate for local SME's and about them getting the opportunity. The innovation and passion among these companies is just so commendable and it genuinely makes me so sad and frustrated I could just cry. I don't want these companies to throw in the towel and think it's not worth it. These are the very people that should be helping Sellafield not these faceless organisations who just want to earn a quick buck. Do you know I am genuinely sorry for anyone from those organisations I may have offended and it isn't personal to you but you surely can see why this is so very sad!
It Could Only Happen to Me
So I have quite a few to choose from this week. I think I am going to give you one professional and one personal. So let's start with the professional:
I went through a phase a few months back where my language in the office was pretty atrocious especially for a lady. It seemed that although at home I wouldn't dream of swearing in front of the children and in business meetings I hold my tongue in the office I seemed to be unable to control the string of profanities that frequented my lips. Because of this Lisa decided to buy me a mug which had printed on it every single swear word you could think of and instead of swearing I was to point to the word in question. We all had a good laugh about it and it became my mug.
Anyhow we are now in our new offices, with a wonderful area for meeting people, and I had what I would class as a "highly influential and well thought of nuclear name" come to visit me. Now this was the type of person who of course you would want to make a good impression on. As is always the case when I have people in Lisa offered to make us a drink. (You all know the story of my awful tea and coffee making skills) We chatted away and Lisa came back in and gave us our drinks. At that moment I wanted the ground to swallow me up. I was actually speechless. There on the table she had put my "swearing cup". I went bright red and didn't know what to say or do. I knew I had to say something so I apologised profusely for the mug and joked to Lisa that she had done it on purpose. (In fairness I think she was as mortified as I was.) Anyhow thankfully the chap took it in good humour but I was completely embarrassed and saw my professionalism and decorum fly out of the window.
Ok so my personal one. As you will know I have been training hard for the wedding. Up at 5.20am every morning to go and train to ensure I look the best I possibly can. So last Thursday I bounced out of bed for spinning and decided to have a quick look in the mirror at my abs that were now visible before heading off. So there I stood in front of the mirror and I looked and looked. But no matter how much I looked I couldn't see my abs. Confused I replayed the moment in my head – I had said to Stefan my abs were showing through and we looked and there they were and I was absolutely delighted. And then it hit me like a ton of bricks! That conversation wasn't actually a conversation it was a dream!!! There were no abs and I had dreamed the whole thing. Gutted doesn't come close to how I felt. I was just devastated and was in a stinking mood for the rest of the day! – Damn my overactive imagination.
It Could Only Happen to Me – Hen Weekend Special
So this weekend taught me 2 things:
I am totally blessed by the wonderful friends I have in my life It doesn't always just happen to me!
As promised here is a bit of a write up of the Hen weekend adventures. I was going to change the names of my friends so as not to embarrass them but they all said they were happy to share!
The weekend started on Friday. Now I have mentioned this before but I am a completely obsessed by time and am always 15 minutes at least early for everything. The thought of being late sends me into melt down. So the ladies from Cumbria were under strict instruction to be on the platform at 10.30am even though the train didn't leave until 10.47am. I was delighted that everyone was there by 10.20am and we all had plenty of time. Then Ruth came up with a great idea "Shall I pop to Costa and get us a coffee before the train comes it's only round the corner." "Ok" I said as long as they were back in plenty of time. So Ruth, Jo and Claire headed off to Costa. The time started to tick by and I was starting to get nervous. "They aren't back yet" I said to Lisa. "It's fine there is plenty of time stop stressing" At 10.43am I was beginning to panic so sent them a text that it was less than 5 minutes until the train. 3 minutes later they calmly walked through the door. Then I saw Jo flop on to the seat and take her shoes off. Her feet were black. "Jo did you take your shoes off I asked?" Her response "Oh Emma it was terrible! They took ages and it was miles away. We had to run all the way back so I had to take my shoes off and Ruth was shouting at me saying 'COME ON RUN' and I was saying but I can't and she shouted 'YES YOU CAN JO NOW COME ON!' in a really cross voice and I thought I was going to faint or be sick. Then I thought that you would be crying and I didn't want to upset you so I ran as fast as I could and I thought I would die."
Literally a minute later the train arrived and we all bundled on. The train was packed so we had to juggle around with luggage and then try and find our seats. I gave all the girls there tickets and then got to our seats and there was a man sitting in our seats fast asleep and dribbling. I looked at Lisa and she just shook her head. So I decided the only action was to wake him and ask him to move. So I started to poke him. But I poked and poked and he just wouldn't wake up. So I decided to change my tactic by squeezing his shoulder and saying excuse me. Of course by this time I am nearly hysterical with laughter as the dribble continued and still he wouldn't wake. In desperation I looked to the guard and shouted across the train. "Excuse me can you help me I can't wake him." The guard who himself is also laughing comes up the train and has to full on shake the man and his dribble awake. He woke to 7 women staring at him. He scuttled off as quickly as his legs would carry him. We had a spare seat as one of our ladies couldn't come at the last minute so we used the seat for bags and things and cracked open the champagne. We all laughed, chatted and drank champagne on the way. Then this man decided he wanted to sit on the spare seat. Well of course I said that we actually had purchased and had the reserved ticked for the seat so it was in fact not a free seat. Then a group of nosey woman decided to get involved and started insisting that it wasn't our seat if nobody was sitting in it. I was all ready to launch into a full on row but Lisa made me sit quiet whilst Claire had to move so the man could sit down. She wasn't going to make it easy for him though and he had to hold her drink and her bags whilst she re homed things.
The train finally arrived at Manchester and we jumped off the train full of excitement and champagne. Claire and I then decided to have a sprinting race through the railway station and even though I had a suitcase the size and weight of a baby elephant I still won! So with my chuffty pants on we headed to the cabs.
Check in was easy and we all unpacked and headed to the bar for await the other arrivals. All went smoothly with plenty more laughing, chatting, eating, drinking and dancing. 5 of us decided to continue our evening and head to the Birdcage. It was there that poor Claire experienced the worst chat up like ever:
Strange man: "Hi where are you from?"
Claire: "Cumbria"
Strange Man: "Where?"
Claire: Cumbria – up North"
Strange Man: "What Lancaster?"
Claire: "No Cumbria, near Carlisle."
Strange Man: After a pause "Oh Carlisle, I bought a van from there once."
Claire: "Oh right"
Strange Man: "Yeah it was a good van too!"
Next morning part of the group went down to breakfast. However Lynsey and Rachel were missing. Lynsey had mentioned the night before that they may order breakfast in their room. So when I walked along the corridor and saw a lady delivering breakfast I sprinted off from the others, pushed the lady and her trolly aside put my head in the door and shouted "Get out of bed you lazy bitches" only to come face to face with a man in his underpants. He looked at me in absolute horror and I just turned and ran back to the girls shouting "Oh my god it wasn't them, it wasn't there room." I was beyond mortified and so embarrassed, but as I had ran back down the corridor I had to re-pass the room to get back to mine. I ran past and fell to the floor in fits of laughter and actually had to crawl into the room on my hands and knees.
We had a busy day on the Saturday with no dramas just lots of fun laughter and cocktails. Saturday night we hit the comedy store, which was great fun and then on to Canal Street. One of our ladies naming no names (Lynsey) drank probably a little more than she should and certainly kept us entertained in the club. When we got back Sarah and I decided to stop at the vending machine by the lifts whilst the others headed back to the rooms. As we tried to discuss the pros and cons of salt and vinegar crisps at 3.30am in the morning as quietly as possible, this chap put his head out of his door and told us to be quiet. We were very apologetic and explained our predicament so he decided to come and chat to us. Then his friend joined him. So we were happily stood there for a good 20 minutes plus discussing what they did for a career and the pros and cons of it (I can't help interviewing people) and they were really nice guys. All of a sudden I caught a glimpse from the corner of my eye of a big burly security guard heading in our direction. "Oh my God we are going to get told of quick run." So Sarah and I scuttled off but he was making ground on us. "Quick Sarah run faster he is going to catch us." Next there was a knock on the door we opened it with trepidation thinking it was going to be the security guard telling us off and asking us to leave, but it was the very drunk Lynsey who wanted to tell us how she had just fallen out of bed and got wedged between the 2 beds and couldn't move. After laughing at her misfortune we sent her back to her room.
After finally getting to sleep about 4.30am I was up at 7.30am so decided to head down for a swim. After my swim I met up with a few of the other girls and the lovely Ruth ran a spinning class and a boot camp and all before breakfast.
I was really sad that the weekend had to come to an end. I had just the best time and have never before drank or laughed quite so much.
October
NDA
It's not long now until Europe's largest nuclear supply chain event is under way. More than 1,000 delegates have so far registered to attend the NDA Estate Supply Chain Event 2014 in Manchester, on 6 November, and all 260 exhibition spaces are taken. I have to say this is my favourite event of the year and I am really looking forward to it. Lisa and I have a stand and last year I was genuinely delighted by the amount of people who came and spoke to me and told me how much they enjoyed my blog. So if you are there and I am sure most of you will be, please take 5 minutes to come and say hi. Maybe you could even provide some gossip for the blog. Don't forget though last year was freezing and there was a distinct lack of food due to the vendors running out (No fault of the NDA) so I am going to take a packed lunch and a flask!
It Could Only Happen to me – Proud Mummy Moment!
As some of you will know a couple of weeks back I chaired the public meeting held at the rugby ground regarding the withdrawal of services from the West Cumberland Hospital (WCH – Whitehaven Hospital). It was a very passionate meeting with tempers running high and chairing it was probably one of my hardest challenges to date. Anyhow in attendance at the meeting were my daughters. My eldest Maddy was very interested in the meeting and what it all meant so we had some very grown up conversations about it. Last week the "Save WCH Committee" were encouraging people through their group on facebook to write to David Cameron. I told Maddy about this and on Saturday she asked me if she could write him a letter. Of course I encouraged this and told her what a great idea that would be. I have to say what she wrote even surprised me:
"Everyone says that you won't listen, but my Mummy says if you believe in something and work hard you can achieve it, so I hope that means you will listen.
We all need West Cumberland Hospital, because say if someone was playing on the park and broke their arm, they would have to go all the way to Carlisle.
Carlisle is a very long way to travel, especially to go to hospital. It's even worse if something isn't even wrong.
They can't take away the children's ward because when I had pneumonia they looked after me really well. Mummy wouldn't have been able to stay with me in Carlisle because she had to look after my younger sister. Also I don't want all those people losing their jobs.
I heard that the part of the hospital where babies are born was not going to have a consultant. I didn't know what that meant, but that is the person that can save babies. If the lady has to travel to Carlisle then her baby will die.
Please keep our hospital open.
I would really appreciate if you could write back with the answer.
Maddy (Age 10)"
I was so proud of her that I decided to take a picture of the letter and post it on the facebook group so the other members could see what she had written prior to posting the letter. What happened next was just unbelievable. Hundreds of people were liking and commenting and sharing her letter. Everyone was saying how wonderful it was and how it really summed it all up. Then a twitter campaign was suggested using the #AnswerMaddy and tweeting David Cameron. I thought it was a really sweet idea and Maddy was delighted but I didn't really expect much from it! Oh how wrong I was within 24 hours it had gone viral. Everyone was tweeting and adding #AnswerMaddy on to their tweets. People seemed genuinely touched by Maddy's letter and innocence. On the Monday we were contacted by the News & Star and Whitehaven News and a photographer was sent round after school to take some pictures for the paper. Well that was great I thought and I congratulated Maddy and thought that was that. Then on Tuesday we were contacted by BBC Radio Cumbria and they asked if Maddy could speak on the morning show. So on Wednesday morning a very excited but nervous little girl did her first ever radio interview. I dropped her at school and headed off to Bristol and then my phone started ringing first of all it was BBC News then ITV Boarder. Both wanted to interview Maddy for the evening News! – This was beyond surreal now. My little girl not only a star in the local papers and radio but now on TV too. I arranged with the school for the film crew to go in and continued my journey. Next thing I know I am contacted by the Mirror Newspaper wanting an interview – Maddy had hit the nationals! Other than a couple of calls yesterday from other locals things seem to have quietened down on the #AnswerMaddy campaign but David Cameron still hasn't written back, although the BBC said he has received the letter. Now, to me it is so much more than a campaign to save our services, but is also a campaign to ensure that a little girl's belief in people isn't quashed. So if you have twitter and you have a few spare minutes please do a quick tweet with #AnswerMaddy.
November
NDA Supply Chain Event
Well what can I say? The NDA has absolutely outdone themselves. The supply chain event was absolutely fantastic, the best ever, and there is nothing negative I can say at all. It was seamless, informative had fantastic networking and wasn't too cold!
Lisa and I set up the stand on the Wednesday evening and surprisingly nothing went wrong. We arrived on Thursday bright eyed and bushy tailed and excited for the day. This may be down to the fact that being so Rock n Roll we had dinner at 5.40pm, were in bed by 7.30pm and asleep for 9.30pm. - There was no way we were wasting this opportunity and wanted to be on the ball.
The auditorium looked fantastic and was absolutely packed.
The music they played for opening and introducing was Happy. I think it was a really clever choice because that music automatically set a vibrant atmosphere.
John Veith did a fab job of opening the event and joked about the coldness the year before. He highlighted that the event was about connect and collaborate
So after the very well put together and professional proceedings in the auditorium the exhibition opened. I have to say I feel so lucky to have attended and exhibited at this event. Not only did we make some excellent new connections but we caught up with old friends too. I love this industry so much and there really are some fantastic people in it. Lisa and I spent most of the day laughing. I think my 3 favourite moments from the exhibition was being told by a number of people from LLWR that we have exceeded their expectations and they are really pleased with the work we have undertaken for them; one of our clients showing us some origami with a business card and another leaving Lisa absolutely speechless – priceless.
We also had a business card draw for some local ale. The kind man on the stand next door drew the card of Richard Pike from Deloitte. As he had already left he told us to redraw so the lucky winner was Sarah Winstanley from PaR Systems!
Walking around the exhibition there was such a variety of stands and the buzz was fantastic. There was true networking and business being done.
I have to say this is without doubt the best event within the nuclear industry I have ever attended so the organisers deserve a big pat on the back.
As Lisa and I stood on the stand people watching we decided it would be fun to come up with the types of people you find at exhibitions. I hope these will make you smile and I am sure you will identify with some of them:
The Nicker Pincher - early riser who visits your stand prior to you being there purely so they can nick your goods without you knowing
The Ignorer - I don't really want to speak to you but I'm paid to be here!
The Handbag Ladies - the business development guys who all stand in a circle around an imaginary handbag making 'small talk'
The Code Breakers - the people who insist on talking in acronyms and abbreviations.
Billy No Mates - standing on their own in a big crowd with no one to talk to
The Hungover - the people who thought it was clever to go out to dinner and drinks the previous night and are suffering terribly especially by 2pm
The Smoker - the person who greets you and speaks to you stinking of stale fags!
The Technologist - the ones that walk the whole exhibition on their phone or pretending to be so they don't have to speak to anyone!
The Uninterested - the ones who ask you what your company does and the minute you start speaking you see the glaze descend over their eyes.
The Couple - the two who go everywhere together
The Letch - the one who can be spotted closest to Women in Nuclear area and whom you can see following every lady with their eyes.
The Boob Watcher – The guy who spends the whole conversation speaking to your breasts
The Magpie - the person who is attracted to all things shinny!
The Talker - Comes to the stand and then won't leave
The Confused – The person walking around with that confused look who finally realises they are at the wrong event.
The Lost – (This was me) The person that keeps walking past the same stand because they can't find either the stand they are looking for or the way back to their own.
It Could Only Happen to Me
I think it is time to actually accept that I am the worlds' most embarrassing Mummy and Partner. So on Sunday the girls made their West End debut at Her Majesty's Theatre. As you can imagine it had been a busy weekend getting things organised and we had to be at the theatre at 9am in the morning for them to rehearse. I knew we would be out all day with the show not being until 7pm in the evening so I decided to dress in something that could also been worn in the evening. I pulled on my tight black trousers, a nice top and jacket at 6am in the morning and then got the girls ready with full theatre make- up and hair done. Got across London and dropped them off without any bother. Stefan and I walked round London for a bit then went back for them at 11.15am. Gave them lunch got their costumes ready reapplied Make up then dropped them back at the theatre at 1.45pm. This gave us 5 hours alone together in London – bliss. So of course I did what every girl does in London: we hit Regent Street and Oxford Street. It was really busy as Regent Streets Christmas Lights were being switched on. There really was a Christmas feel and I was so excited in the Selfridges Christmas department buying presents for people. The time flew in and we had dinner before heading into the theatre. During the first half I got told off twice by the lady in front – once for laughing when a little girl turned the wrong way and banged into someone (it was funny) and once for rattling my sweets. During the interval in the packed theatre I felt a lump behind my knee in my trousers. So I turned to Stefan and said I've got a lump. "What is it?" He asked. "I don't know but it is really soft and squidgy." I replied. Of course because my trousers were tight I couldn't get my hand up my trouser leg so I started to push the lump down my leg. Of course by this time I was laughing loudly. Stefan was mortified. "OMG is it a sock or something" he asked just as I got the object to the bottom of my trousers. I pulled the object out slightly before quickly pulling my trouser leg back over it. "Oh my god" I said in between hysterical tears of laughter. It's a pair of knickers." Stefan's response "Well are you still wearing any?" so obviously there in the middle of the theatre I checked and of course I was still wearing knickers and these were an intruder pair. I knew I had to get them out and in my bag before anyone noticed. So I unzipped my bag quickly pulled them out and shoved them in my bag. The only saving grace was they weren't my Monkey knickers but nice posh black lace ones. Stefan was mortified at the thought that thousands of people we had passed throughout the day had all seen the lump in my trousers. Just goes to show he doesn't check me out anymore though as he didn't notice!
December!
Well this is the only blog for December so all I have to say is have a fantastic Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Until Next Time....
