The South West Blog Social 2014

Saturday saw the very first South West Blog Social hosted by Jodie from a la Jode and Albertine from Dippy Writes.

 

I first heard about it through the magic of social media when Michelle, Angela and Chelsea mentioned it and asked if I was going. I didn't know about it up to then but of course I was blummin well going to go! Miss the chance to see Angela again and meet other fabulous South West Bloggers? I think not! (plus I felt as if I’ve stalked Michelle’s blog for long enough, it really was time to actually meet her in real life).
 

Overall it was a fab day, albeit with a few dilemmas along the way (the first was whether to bare all with the pearly-white legs or encase them in 60 denier tights – I went with the tights option).
 

Andrew gave me a lift 15 miles over the border into Wiltshire so I could get the cheapest train to Exeter (from Westbury rather than Bath) and just over an hour later I arrived at Exeter St Davids train station. I’d been very organised and printed out a map of my route to The Oddfellows Bar, thinking it would take about 20-30 minutes to walk. Not so, even at a stroll it took 10 minutes and I arrived half an hour early for the event!

 

It didn’t matter though as I was swiftly ticked off the list and given a wristband (red for lifestyle bloggers) and then bumped into Kim from Whimsical Mrs W. It was lovely to meet her and we spent quite a bit of time chatting (and wondering what was going to happen next) before spotting the fabulous Michelle come through the door. Now I must say, having spent almost the last year laughing, smiling and chortling at Michelle’s blog (Life Outside London) she really is just as awesome in real life and it was great to finally meet her.

 

Next up, we got chatting to Alex from Medicated Follower of Fashion and Sarah from Escape to the West Country – I only stumbled across Sarah’s blog a week or so ago but she is properly lovely and (I keep repeating myself) but it was great to meet her. Then the fabulous Angela arrived (the one person I’d already met!) and that almost completed our group – the only one missing was Chelsea who arrived an hour or so later.

Left to Right: Alex, Angela, Michelle, Kim and Sarah
 

 

The Oddfellows Bar was a lovely venue but I didn’t really manage to take many pictures – I think I was too busy talking! The others really should have shut me up because I do have a tendency to talk far too much and far too fast.

The lunch on offer was chuck steak burger or homemade pizza – and not just any ordinary pizza but a huge pizza that didn’t even fit onto the plate it was served on.

 Therein lay dilemma number two – Chorizo and Rocket Pizza? or Pulled Pork and BBQ Sauce Pizza?




 

Luckily Sarah had the perfect solution and we went halves, each ordering one type and splitting it in two. Whilst munching on what was turned out to be a very tasty pizza, Chelsea arrived with her incredibly adorable and very cheeky little boy, Dylan who kept us all entertained during the afternoon.
 

 

There was various things on in the bar, manicures, makeovers, photo shoots and stuff but we all seemed to have so much fun gossiping that it wasn’t until near the end of the day we realised we hadn’t been to any of the talks! So me, Sarah and Angela nipped upstairs to listen to Ruth Douglas talk about “what makes you, you?”

 

Then came the raffle (where I didn’t win anything, boo!) and afterwards, the gift bags were handed round before we all headed on home.

It was great to meet Molly as well (from Molly and the Princess) and Steph (from Tub on the Run) plus I picked up several business cards from the ‘business card exchange’ to check out when I got home.

 

Whilst munching on our pizzas, we all decided we needed another meet up – nothing too fancy, just some food, drink and a good old natter. I think we left it to Michelle to organise (that’s right isn’t it M? ;-) Nah, I’m quite happy to help really) and it definitely needs to include other fabulous South West Bloggers such as Rosie (Life’s Cup of Tea), Gemma (Not So Simples) and Alice (The Cup and Saucer).
Whenever it is, I’m looking forward to it!