by Seaside Singleton

So spring has sprung and I’m feeling a lot more positive.

Aldeburgh is feeling less deserted and there are more visitors here at the weekends.
Its funny as a resident of a holiday destination how the number of visitors reflects my mood here.

The love life is a bit less barren and things are looking up in general.  Ok, so Ive still got to lose 2kg and there are the beginnings of wrinkles on my neck, but life is too short to be worrying about these sorts things.  Looking back on Februarys blog entry I can see that I really do have a lot going for me. Really I am living the dream here by the sea.
So, I made a list at the very beginning of the month of the things Ive got to be thankful for:
-I get to see the sea every day and sometimes witness magical sunrises/sunsets.
-I may be single but Ive got some amazing friends.
-I don’t have to take the tube any where at any point (a recent trip to London reminded me of how awful it is)
-the locals here might be a bit eccentric, but they are extremely interesting and friendly.
-Ive joined a dating site so there is hope of not being left on the shelf at 50!

So following on from my last point I have joined a dating site and taken matters into my own hands in terms of my search for a decent bloke.  Writing my profile was surprisingly easy – years working in sales has clearly paid off as you’re essentially selling yourself.  It was thinking about what Id come up with afterwards that caused me to worry a little. I haven’t told any wild exaggerations of the truth or lied at all but I was a bit concerned about my pictures…. I used the ones that make me look my thinnest, most glamorous and also a bit younger….but that’s ok right?  I have come to the conclusion that this IS ok and that everyone uses their best pictures, particularly women.  I guess it’s a bit like knocking off half a stone if someone asks what you weigh or perhaps saying that you are 29 when you might be 30, but 29 sounds a lot younger as its still in ones 20s.

I have found the internet dating scene highly entertaining from a social observation perspective, it seems that there are a lot of ‘perfect husband material’ men out there – if you took their profile descriptions at face value.  They are all fun, kind honest with a great sense of humour; none describe their bad habits, or that they can’t cook so I think the best thing to consider is what they DON’T write. It seems that the art to writing these things and navigating ones way through the millions of men is to read between the lines and learn the language of dating sites.

My observations from reading profiles so far are thus:

“Young at heart” = means they have lied about their age or are looking for a much younger girlfriend.

“Easy going” = potentially lazy and lacking in ambition

“Likes nights in/out” = boring, and lacking in imagination, I mean who doesn’t!

“Not looking for anything serious” = wants a one night stand and possibly has a girlfriend

“Sensual” = haven’t quite worked out the meaning of this one, but not keen to find out….

Of course, there are many more I’ve yet to work out but it really is quite addictive….a bit like Ebay for men. I’m hoping that like Ebay, a good find will come along if I’m patient, although patience has never been a strong point (possibly where I’ve been going wrong). I seem to have got the profile right as I’ve had 1000’s of visits to my profile already. I’ve actually got a few dates lined up so will let you know how they go….and if they recognise me from my photographs!

Hire a space and put up an inflatable structure

Inflate’s designs are more than just a marquee. These portable Inflatables come in all sizes and these award winning, architecturally stimulating structures are sure to provide an impressive backdrop to any party. These lightweight, interior designs ‘pop up’ with the help of Inflate’s installation team.  These bold and dynamic structures will enhance any space, and Complete Package Solutions are also available for those who require lighting, flooring, doors or trussing additions.  Inflate take on bespoke design and build briefs for a whole hosts of events including seasonal music festivals, sports events, experiential exhibitions, marketing promotional activity or up market weddings. Inflate your party with one of these truly unique venues.

Inflate Portable Inflatables >>>

Hire a famous DJ

If you are looking to give your guests an extra edge on the dance floor, why not hire a celebrity DJ at your next party? A celebrity DJ is guaranteed to make your party an event to remember. The British company Costello Entertainments can book a superb range of celebrities to suit your needs, from all music genres, including former 80s pop groups to Indie artists and contemporary pop stars. Superstar chart toppers during the 70′s, 80′s and 90′s are also easily available for hire. Contemporary celebrity stars and super-stars could be the spectacular source of entertainment at your very own party. If this doesn’t make your guests get up on the dance floor nothing will.

Costello Entertainments >>>

Book a comedian

Make your party a barrel of laughs with the UK’s market leading comedy service. Bring laughter to life and book a comedian with The Comedy Club. Why not invite a top TV stand-up comedian such as Michael McIntyre or Terry Alderton to the party? The Comedy Club promises to offer you a great comedian to suit your budget and the experience to make the decisions the matter when it comes to finding the appropriate act. Make your guests chuckle in delight and take your party to a whole new level of entertainment with your very own comedy act. A stand up act is sure to make your party stand out.

The Comedy Club >>>

Lounge about

If you want to create a relaxed atmosphere why not offer them a chance to recline and unwind with friends on one of our Giant Cushions! Our original giant cushion, now with the beautiful Union Jack, has quickly become the must-have accessory for this summer. With the Olympics and the Queens Golden Jubilee, there has never been a better time to support British industry. Why not celebrate the festivities in a Union jack Style? Our cushions are 100% British made, from the inner pad to their design heritage. Each cushion measures 150 x 150cm, has a zip removable cover made from 100% cotton drill and with its solid navy base, it makes it ideal for use outdoors as well as in.

Runaway Coast Giant Cushions >>>

Give your guests a Gift Bag

Gift bags aren’t just for children. Why not use our favourite new shoulder bag in smart red and navy stars are made from wipe-clean oilcloth fabric? It’s the ideal companion whether you are out shopping, carrying books, off to the gym, or taking the papers to the beach. With long shoulder length straps for maximum comfort, and small inner hidden pocket for keys or money, so treat yourself or someone special!

Shoulder Bags >>>

For a sweet touch, the company Getting Personal offers made up hampers, filled to the brim with delicious goodies that guests will want to grab and gobble down in a hurry. Whether they’re fans of Sherbet Dipdabs, Gobstoppers or even Refresher Bars, the Retro Hamper is guaranteed to be an amazingly sweet treat! Also included are Flying Saucers, Love hearts, Black Jacks, Foam Shrimpys, Candy Necklaces, Candy Sticks, Gobstoppers, Dip Daps, Fruit Caramels and a whole host of other classics! Beautifully presented in an authentic-looking wicker basket, the Retro Sweet Hamper is perfect for any lover of the classic sweeties. Why not go further and include a personalised gift card message with your hamper?

Sweet Hamper >>>

Hire a film crew

Give your guests something to remember with Camera Crews UK. Re-live the special day and make sure not a second is missed with this team of experienced production co-ordinators, who will assess your needs and manufacture their footage to accommodate your event. Why not film your party and capture those magical moments on camera for everyone to enjoy after? Promising to provide the right people for you on whatever format you desire, this band of highly skilled and experienced freelance camera crews are located all across England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

Camera Crews UK >>>

Book a local Band

Raise the tone of any party with a local band. Here in Suffolk, Runaway Coast recommends ‘The Ferries,’ a professional covers band who promises to deliver a performance that will mark your party out with a difference. The bands remarkable musicianship, sense of humour and inventive approach to arrangements are sure to entertain surprise and energise your guests. A combination of impressive attire, an exquisite blend of lounge jazz, dance and R&B performed with a line-up of accordion, vocals, guitar, keyboards, and drums is sure to get the party started. Performing a selection of popular material from the last 40 years, the Ferries specialise in re-arranging and adapting tunes from the 1990s and early 2000s. The band provides both live and pre-recorded music and can provide professional PA equipment if required. The band is available for functions across both East Anglia and London.

The Ferries >>>

Hire Dodgems or a Carousel

Give your guests the ride of their lives and recreate your childhood with Premier Rides, who offer fairground and funfair rides for hire to suit all budgets and events. Dodgems are a firm favourite with all the family and the company offer many events for Children who can reach the pedal and can drive on their own, whilst the younger ones have to be accompanied by an adult. Tracks come with 17 cars and are set to take your party to a whole new level of fun. The Carousel has to be by far the best looking ride out of them all; with the golden galloping horses this traditional ride has survived for decades in the industry because of its stunning looks.  36 galloping horses and a chariot or 2 and the organ playing in the background makes a perfect back drop for any picture. The company also offers other popular fairground rides such as Helter Skelter, Miami Trip, Twist as well as a good selection of Children’s Rides, including the Cup & Saucer, Mini Carousel and a wide selection of inflatable fun.

Premier Rides >>>

Set off Fireworks

For an explosive event that’s guaranteed to go off with a bang, set off some fireworks and create an aerial artistry that will provide a spectacular highlight to any party. Let off some Barrages, which are rapid firing multi-shot cakes. Fiery ground fountains that emit a jet of sparks upwards in varying colours and colourful bursting rockets, will awe the crowd, and some whistling and crackling wheels and sparklers are sure to dazzle your guests. Buy some Sky Lanterns and have a table with pens for people to add messages on the before letting them off.

Firework Emporium >>>

Fabulous Flowers

A fabulous floral display created by the company Country Flowers will really set the scene. The team is passionate about flowers and create simply stunning arrangements drawn from the Suffolk countryside. From the moment of booking they work closely with their clients to gage the theme. Why not bring a meadow inside, using trees, daisies and cow parsley? Country Flowers work hand in hand with caterers, marquee suppliers and lighting experts and travel all over East Anglia from the North Norfolk coast to London in their very own van Rosie.

Country Flowers >>>

Get a celebrity chef to cook

Make your party extra tasteful with the company the E3 Artists. The team will provide you with some of the UK’s most respected culinary maestros and give your guests a delectable feast to remember. Not only is it hassle free for you as the host, the food is sure to satisfy the whole party. The E3 Artists team have connections with a wide range of well-known, TV chefs and ask you to call if the person you are looking for is not listed on their website.

E3 Group >>>

Hire a cocktail bar

Knock your guests off their feet and hire a cocktail bar or a flair bar tender from the company Mobile bar hire. The staff really adds that finishing touch, with their superb skills, and can really set off your event in a full size mobile bar. Why not come up with your own ideas and names for drinks at your event? With cocktails ranging from alcoholic through to non alcoholic, margaritas through to Mojitos, the decision is yours! For birthday parties we suggest liaising with the teams cocktail flairers for their profession advice and design drinks based around the birthday colours/theme and name a cocktail after the host or birthday girl or boy.

Mobile Bar >>>

Fire Eaters

Juggling inferno will light your guest’s fire. Choose from a vast range of stunning performances, including the company’s famous Pyromania solo fire performances, fully choreographed, group fire shows, walkabout jugglers, stilt-walkers, fire-eaters and circus performers. Create your own show and cater the performances to fit your theme. The team also offer jugglers and glow performers who will dazzle the crowd with their dynamic displays of high-tech, multi-coloured, glow juggling.

Juggling Inferno >>>

We hope this has given you some ideas for your Summer party – we hope you have a great time and let us know how it went!

A wonderful showcase for all the best in homewares, fashion, food and drink, we love the Spirit of Summer Fair – its a real treat and one of the ‘must visits’ in the calendar.

They are offering 15% off advanced tickets at the moment – so hurry and book now.  Go to their website, or call 0844 412 4623 and quote the code: SS4K

For more details, visit their website here >>>

Runaway Coast will be at the Ideal Home Show from the 16th March to the 1st April.

Now in its 103rd year, the world famous Ideal Home Show has been bringing ideas and inspiration to generations of British home owners.

With over 600 quality exhibitors, the show is an amazing day out where you can discover some hidden gems and all the latest trends for the home and garden.

They have loads of celebrities who are available to offer advice and host interesting and entertaining presentations.  This year the show welcomes, Alan Titchmarsh, Gregg Wallace, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Lorraine Kelly, George Clark, and Suzi Perry.

There are loads of shows to see in the Celebrity Chef Theatre, the ‘How to’ Theatre and the ‘The Catwalk’ for all the latest fashions.

It really is a great day out and is wonderful to catch up with friends for a bit of retail therapy or just window shopping for a later date.

Runaway Coast will be on Stand 2H14 within Ideal Shopping (just turn left at The Prince’s Trust Pavilions and you’ll see us).  Come and say Hi and take advantage of some great show offers and competitions

See you there!

For more information and tickets, click here >

Runaway and Get Fit: Part 2

On April 22nd, I’m running the marathon for JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) Donate now at www.justgiving.com >>>

Remember last august, I went on that boot camp. I’m not joking, I could barely run a mile  but a lovely marine told me, if I had to run for my life, I would. Well on April 22nd, I’m running the marathon for JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)

It’s time to man up!

5 months on, lighter and leaner, and 7 weeks to go, I will be running for  children with diabetes. My 11 year old son Philip being one of them.

This April, the month of the London Marathon, Philip will have had type 1 diabetes for 10 years.

What is type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the insulin producing cells in the body have been destroyed and can no longer produce insulin. But we can’t live without insulin as insulin is the key which unlocks the door to the body’s cells. Once the door is unlocked glucose can enter the cells where it is locked. Without this key, glucose just builds up in the blood causing DKA which kills you if not treated in time.

It’s not something he got from eating too many  sweets, his friends can’t catch it from him, and no, he doesn’t grow out of it. And he can still come for a play date or still be invited to birthday parties, it doesn’t mean he can’t ever eat cake, its just about managing it. But these are just a few of the many questions often asked and situations that many would rather avoid, than just ask.

So for Philip, like many other children with Type 1, this means a minimum of 1,426 insulin injections a year, pricking his finger for blood testing to control blood sugars at least 2,000 times a year. And this is just part of it.  Swings in blood sugars make him feel irritable, grumpy, thirsty, lethargic, nauseous, have stomach aches, and more.  He needs to be constantly monitored on a 24/7 basis. On those days we pull a sicky from work, these kids live with these swings. And sadly there’s not even ghastly course of treatment they can endure to get over it.

Currently there is no cure, this is for life.

The long term complications  which can arise don’t bear thinking of, but they’re there all the same.

But Philip, like many children with diabetes, just take it in their stride. They go to school, but i think its a horribly hidden backpack of pain, illness and emotional issues they just deal with, even in their sleep. Everything from cold, heat, exercise, emotions, meal times, illness, affects their blood sugars.

But thanks to three scientists – Banting, Best and Macleod, since 1929, they can now live with insulin injections and daily monitoring.

83 years on and Here we are.. 2012, now  let’s raise money to help more wonderful scientists find a cure.

So if you see a smurfette running on marathon day, this year that may well be me…

Oh and the smurf idea well…
Last year, we sat around the tv and watched the London marathon.

Philip said “wow mum someone’s running as a smurf”. I replied “they must be bonkers to even run it”. The BBC commentator said to the smurf “you’re at 20 miles, amazing, so who are you running for?”

The smurf replied “Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation”. Philip beamed and said “he’s running it for me, would you ever do that Mum?”. I fell silent. Didn’t I look like the idiot, I’d just said the man was bonkers.

But hey, how a year can change your life, and how getting fit can change your attitude. When I returned in August from boot camp, I started running daily. Within a few weeks Philip asked “Will you run the marathon for diabetes like the smurf now?”.

I’m not promising the speediest time but I am promising I’ll finish because if you know how brave Philip has been in the last 10 years, you’ll know this is a very worthwhile cause.

Every £1 helps, whatever your donation, children with diabetes everywhere say thank you, especially Philip xx

Donate now at www.justgiving.com >>>

Seaside Spinster?

So February has to be quite honest a pretty depressing month….

My enthusiasm for fulfilling the New Years resolutions is waning and Valentines Day is here.  As any single girl will know, it is not the best day of the year.

Since moving here from Swansea I had hoped to meet someone tall, handsome and eligible who might sweep me off my feet.  Realistically, I’m more likely to meet a vertically challenged road sweeper, as that is the only kind of sweeping going on here.

My friend Vicky’s optimism that I might “meet someone really nice at the post office” is becoming rather laughable. I don’t think I’ve seen any man under 70 in the post office here, let alone a handsome eligible one. Dating in a small town like this is not easy. There are no ‘speed dating’ events every month, no ‘singles nights’, no clubs for a drunken kiss.  As much as I decide that its actually all very depressing, I think back to what it was like when I lived in city that DID offer all of this stuff…. Speed dating seemed a bit desperate and I never met anyone nice in clubs and bars anyway.  Looking back at it, the most successful avenues appear to be meeting men randomly or through friends.

Its not that I don’t get approached by men here – its just that so far they have all been fishermen old enough to be my dad! Meeting someone here is going to require thinking laterally.

All this talk of dating has been instigated by a friend’s husband referring to me as……. a SPINSTER! Even as a joking reference I find this adjective horrifying. It’s a dirty word like ‘fat’ – the one word no single woman wants to hear (even if they are!).  For men, all the adjectives to describe their single-ness are positive (the term bachelor springs to mind) and sounds rather James Bond-esque, but SPINSTER has connotations of crazy old women who smell strange and have lots of cats.

So, the depressing things this month:

• I’ve still got 3kg to lose (though I have lost 3kg since January).
• I’m a spinster (the hardest one to deal with as it is factually correct).
• It is cold and horrible in the UK in the winter.
• I’m going to be 30 this year, which sounds a LOT older than 28, which is what I tell people when they ask.
• If I ever do find a suitable husband, there is a very good chance Ill be a bride with a wrinkly neck, as I am developing faint lines already. Usually I wouldn’t be worried about this, given that most imperfections can be assisted with surgery, but there is actually very little that can be done about a neck.  This is partly my own fault for only putting sunscreen on my face.

I have been bogged down in thought over the points mentioned above, until this morning when on my run along the beach, I saw a seal. It popped its head up about a meter from the shore and looked at me.  We observed each other for a moment or two and then it popped its head back under the water as quickly as it appeared.  It then re-surfaced again a few strides along side me again and we went thought the same process of pausing and looking at each other. This happened many more times and each time it felt as magical as the last, until the final time when he popped his head back underwater and swam off out to sea, re-appearing only one last time further out to look at me once again. Its these sorts of occurrences that remind me of why living so close to the sea is so magical and they often happen when one is just beginning to feel fed up.  It put everything into perspective, though I couldn’t help thinking that eligible men here are like seals – they do exist but you see them very infrequently!