Fantastic 3-night break. Me & my pal Dawn went to Edinburgh on Thursday night. Booked into the Royal British Hotel on Princes Street (2 mins from Harvey Nichols) 
The hotel was nothing special, in face there were a few issues, like the shower falling off the wall, our room being next to a busy very noisy bar, etc but, as it was only one-nights stay, didn’t really affect us that much. We arrived in Edinburgh around 1ish, dropped of our suitcases (well wee dolly trolleys) at the hotel then headed out shopping. I really only wanted to go to Harvey Nics to get some Mac make up but 4 hours later, had spent a small fortune. Firstly I had no intention of buying yet another pair of shoes but, have spent a wee bit of time browsing round the extremely expensive shoe department of Harvey Nics, decided if Kurt Geiger had something nice & slightly cheaper then would buy some. Got a fab pair of black paton wedges - Kurt Geiger. May actually have to start putting pics of my shoes on here as my shoe-fetish seems to be getting slightly out of control of late! lol
So, apart from the shoes, bought a few things from the MAC make up department. Love their products, but ended up spending way more than had bargained for & even went back on Saturday morning & spent more cash as bought a new mascara also! Also went to Topshop & bought a couple of tops, some overknee socks from H&M and think, well think that’s about it. Considering the Spa hadn’t yet been paid, the break ended up costing a small fortune, but was well worth it.
I had booked us a table at the Stand Comedy Club on York Street. We went to Le Monde for one drink. This place is amazing. It’s actually a hotel with fancy decor, quite funky but posh. The rooms on their site look amazing & apparently are. There was a really nice vibe about the place, even though it was quite early, around 7pm, the place was full of people who looked like they’d not long finished work, men suited & booted, that kind of thing. There was quite an expensive feel about the place, the decor was pretty impressive, oh and so was the cocktail list, although just had a white wine as our table was booked for 7.30pm at the Stand so couldn’t really hang around too long, although could have easily spent whole night there.
Then wandered 10 mins to York Street & had to stand on street for 5 mins as we were actually dead on 7.30pm. Suppose the good thing about that was having a choice of table. Didn’t want to sit at front & get pissed ripped out of us. Managed to avoid that completely all night which was good. There was a father & son sat at the front & boy did they get the piss taken out of them. I knew as soon as they sat down that they would, just looked like the type a comedian would pick on.
All the comedians were great. Could not remember any of there names but all of them were good. Especially the American guy, or was it the alcohol, either way was a great night. Think it finished around 11.30pm so a decent night. There was also a real nice vibe in the Stand. Quite studenty too. Cheap food and drink but nice and cosy. Just loads of tables/chairs splattered round the stage area and also a big of room for people to stand. The place was full of people so must be quite a common place. Happy days. Least I didn’t book anywhere shi*
The next day we got up around 9ish, had breakfast (included in price of hotel), then headed back to Harvey Nics as Dawn wanted to buy some Alexander McQeen shoes she’d seen the day before. I won’t even tell you the price of them but are very, very nice. Some of the shoes were just amazing. Some Manolo Blanik’s I seen were just gorgeous, but at £485 I just could not justify paying that for a pair of shoes, although if I earnt more or came into some cash, I really would buy them, them and no doubt some bag to match, oh and an outfit …. dream on eh!
From there we headed to a few more shops then back to hotel. Packed our stuff (not that we’d unpacked much since the hotel wasn’t that nice) headed to bus station & caught a bus to Peebles, which took around 1 hour. What a horrible driver. I had a slight hangover so sitting on a bus with a maniac bus driver nearly made me vomit! And I so don’t vomit, like ever. Had to stay still whilst he drove far too fast on small country roads. Felt great getting off though.
Peebles Hydro is set in acres of land & is absolutely gorgeous from the outside. The surrounding grounds were pretty impressive too. We didn’t actually leave the hotel for our 2-night stay, due to it snowing both days. Not enough winter clothes with us so wasn’t the best idea. That’s my excuse anyway 
The hotel was quite amazing, very big and old fashioned but pretty impressive. The staff were very nice & helpful and our room, well that’s another story. I am pretty sure they accidentally gave us the room they did as the place was like a huge studio flat. Huge windows, big beds, loads of wardrobe space and a great bathroom. Course we weren’t complaining. We even got chocolates, fruit and champagne on arrival. Woo Hoo
Dawn had her facial booked for 2pm & I had mine at 3pm. Mine was pretty fab. Even got an indian head massage which was amazing. Lasted around 1 hour & afterwards we sat in the lounge area and had a wee glass of wine & a nice sanny! Then back to room to chill for a bit then got ready and went to the dining room for dinner. There was a piano player there all night. Quite romantic and more for old couples but was a nice wee atmosphere & the waiting staff were really lovely. 3-course meal & bottle of very expensive red wine later, we then headed to the cocktail bar - which would have been nice should there have been other people actually in the bar at the same time! So we just had one drink then headed back to our room.
Forgotten what it’s like to actually relax and do absolutely nothing. So relaxing the first day but the 2nd day was even better. We got up, had a fab breakfast in the dining room and were even given the same table that we had dinner at the night before, this went on right up until the end of our stay & I have to say it’s a great service. Kinda makes you feel like your somewhere you know and the waiters even remember what you had the day before, and since the place is massive, I think that’s pretty impressive.
The food is amazing too. As this was included in the price of the break splashed out a bit on the wine which too was pretty amazing. We even tried port on our last night with our desert of crackers and cheese lol . . . Posh I know.
Our 2nd day was another trip to the spa where I had a sea-salt scrub then a back-neck massage, which was fab. My skin is still glowing as I type this, lol. Definitely feel the benefit of that wee break. Didn’t drink that much alcohol, relaxed the whole time, reading, chatting, taking pics, was really refreshing. Need to save & go to spa breaks more often. The only thing I didn’t like was the gym. The gym was quite old, the equipment was out of date & there was no one in the gym when I went so kind of put me off as I like a busy (ish) gym. In saying that, the view from the window was really nice. The window backed onto woodland, nothing else. Very relaxing but like I said, could have done with more visitors and more modern gym equipment.
Me & Dawn then sat by the pool for about 1 hour reading & watching loads of kids launching themselves into the pool. The pool area was the exact opposite of the gym (and the cocktail bar for that matter), there were loads of kids, mums and dads in the pool, a couple sitting next to us yabbing away, so although it was quite relaxing, there was far too much going on too fully appreciate it so we just headed into the lounge area, had our afternoon sanny & glass of wine then headed back to our room for a wee watch of some shi* tv, snooze for me then got ready for our 8pm dinner. Again another fab night, this time the cocktail bar was full, full of the Ulster rugby team. There were about 8 of them sitting next to our table. Found them quite leary but didn’t interrupt our conversation so we just had a couple of drinks, then again, headed back to our room where we had a laugh about nothing in particular and fell into a nice blissful sleep.
Fab weekend. I would def love to go back to a health spa but would have to save for a bit as it was rather pricey, but def worth it
14th of April, 2008 at 19:56:23
Nykky Banks
I’ve started looking for a flat to buy - again. I actually started looking around this time last year but the market was crazy expensive then, so now I’ve decided to look at property developing. Mainly because there seems to be a lot of refurb opportunities about. I’ve got a list of 6 that I will be arranging to look at some time next week. One at offers over £37,000, so I’m imagining the place is probs falling apart! Part of the fun. Just fed up looking at over priced places.
On Saturday afternoon I went to see a 1-bed flat on Blackness Road, Kind of west end of Dundee. I’d met the guy at another property but didn’t like it so he contacted me to say he was selling one and it hadn’t yet gone on the market. the place was quite nice, a lot of potential. I nearly burst out laughing when he told me he wanted £110k for it. I honestly thought he was wynding me up but clearly was very serious by the look on his face. F**k sake, the place wasn’t worth anywhere near that, I probs would have paid £80k for it, but £110k, you’ve got to be kidding me. What the f**k is going on here at the moment. Dundee isn’t exactly a sought after city either yet sellers seem to be making a killling on properties worth 20 or even 30% less than what I’d offer.
I’ve honest been looking for nearly a year. Am glad a few of them fell through (for various reasons). I fell in love with the rockhouse flat over the water in newport but they wanted £126k for it and, that was only one-bed! I probs would have paid that if I would have gotten the mortgage but, turns out was over what I could afford. Quite glad now though as don’t think I would have been able to sell at the price I bought, and probably would have lost money, since I’m not looking for a long-term place to live.
I love where I’m living now, but it’s not mine so don’t see the point wasting money on renting, although I have been doing this for the past couple of years. Just wanted to find the right time to start looking at it feels right now. Although I have to say slightly settled here so it’ll be another nightmare having to move, yet again. I’ve actually moved 4 times so far since I got back from travelling in 2005! Wee gypsy in me, I think
On the smoking front, I’ve actually not been tempted (well not lately anyway) and am still anti! Feel great just now and actually don’t feel like I’ve ever been a smoker. I honest don’t know how I’ve managed to give up without any help. I’d tried patches, hypnotherapy, etc and yet this time, I’ve given up all on my own.
I think what has kept me going as being back at the gym. I don’t see the point in smoking then doing excercise. Defeats the purpose (in my head anyway). I have no idea if I’m eating more as I’ve always ate good healthy food and overdosed on chocolate! My sense of smell seems stronger though, and when I’m drinking alochol, don’t have temptations to smoke - NOW, that is. Last time I had a craving I was going to grab a fag out of my pal Agata’s hand as she was smoking and talking to me, couldn’t concentrate on anything apart from the fag but, that only lasted a minute or two, I had to laugh at that one. There was one night I had a little party in my flat. There was a couple of people smoking & asked one of them to give me a fag, to which they said ‘No’ since they knew I’d given up. I was so close to stealing one of their fags and decided that I was gonna sneak into my bathroom just to have a fag! F**king addcitive stuff. Disgusting. I hope I never smoke again. It really is a pointless habit.
Off for a wee spa break with my pal Dawn, on 10th April. Can’t wait. I organised everything; We’re going through to Edinburgh & saying in a hotel for one night. I’ve booked a table at a comedy club & we’ll probs head out partying around Edinburgh. On the Friday morning we’re heading to Pebbles Hydro. The place looks amazing. 2 days of pampering. We will get a bottle of wine with chocolates on arrival. Included in the package is 2 nights stay, full use of all facilities and 3 treatments. Excellent! Can’t wait. Really need to get away from work etc, have a wee break & relax a bit.
30th of March, 2008 at 13:52:07
Nykky Banks
I really haven’t got much time (or much thought going on) at the moment when thinking about what to write on my site!! Not good really but, life is a bit mental at the moment - that’s my excuse anyway . . .
One thing I would like to mention (again) is that I’ve still managed to not smoke! It’ll actually be 2 months tomorrow. Not even a sneaky wee puff . . . Actually don’t know how I’ve managed it this time round. I’ve been trying to stop since, well, probably since I started! Actually not completely true but since, well I think the past few years I’ve been trying to give up on the 1st Jan then the first thing I do on the 1st of Jan each year is have a drink with a fag! So, am pretty chuffed and have moved my nicotine addiction onto excercise and eating !!! Well can’t have too much of a good thing eh
I’ve had a few niggley feelings (only when I’m drinking alcohol) . . . Like last week on Friday night. Had a few people over as it was my wee sisters 21st! Agata was smoking like a chimney and for the first couple of fags she smoked, I kept thinking I would just sneak a wee puff of her fag & that would be that, but, as soon as the thought entered my head, I thought of how I’d feel at the gym the next day so decided not to give in. hehe yes yes I am the non-smoking mistress
Very anti now though, as you can imagine!,
Anyway, alot been going on, work (hectic), parties (hectic), gym (prob overdoing it a wee bit), pretty much covers most of weekly routine. Also started a 4-week course through Business Gateway. Basically gives you advice and training on how to start up a new business. First one was on Monday this week. 6pm-9pm. Quite good. There was 8 of us and one adviser. Always good hearing up other people & what new ventures there doing. Although mine is obviously property (I say obvious to you’s who know what I’m interested in) I am having 2nd thoughts as property is such a competitive market & not really something unique! Gonna research a bit more though. Check out if anyone has thought or doing what my initial idea was. Just fooking not had the time of late but, gonna definitely make time this weekend - that is, after the 1.5 hours of yoga on Saturday morning, lazer treatment on Saturday afternoon, tea with Lou Saturday night then no doubt hang over to deal with Sunday - see, weekends are over way too fast for my liking!
So, so - last week I had a mad work out at the gym and felt quite like I’d overdone it! Just felt abit dizzy, quite odd actually. So my weekend was full on & I didn’t get to the gym at all until today (Wednesday). I was drinking Fri, Sat & a couple on Sun too so by Monday, body was wrecked (no doubt).
On Monday morning I woke up to a tight feeling in my chest. Just thought it was something to do with sleeping on side or something. Got to work & as the day progressed, the pain actually got tighter & I felt like I coudn’t breath properly. Decided to give my doctor a call & managed to get an appointment for 3.40pm. Seen Dr McGregor (half-daft & eccentric) doctor who honestly didn’t seem to have a clue & offered me 2 things, time off work or anti biotics! I hate going to the doctors & taking anti biotics at the best of time so promptly told him this to which he replied ‘he was glad that I was rejecting the tablets’! WTF . . . & this was the guy who a few minutes earlier said I may have a chest infection!!??
Anyway, told him I would go back in the next couple of day should the pain get worse. So, today I was walking to work and just felt a bit out of breath (Not really good for someone my age really)!! There’s a chinese herbal shop right next door to my office so decided to pop in & ask if they had anything. I’ve been to this place before for some back pain a few months ago (which they fixed by sticking tiny needles into my hands & shoulders) . . . Anyway, the guy who owns the shop done a quick check on my pulse, stomach and chest & gave me this wee sachet of what looked like a tea-bag packet & said to try it & if it works, go back for more, if need be. He didn’t charge me anything & to be honest, didn’t even ask him what it was.
Inside this tea-bag like packet were what looked like minature rat poo balls. About 60 of them. So I took half the pack with some water & 1 hour later my chest pain was gone & I was no longer out of breath!
Took the other half a few hours later and so far so good, no joke! Not that I’m completely amazed. Love hearing about herbal/chinese medicine. The guy in the herbal place actually said I have blocked energy in the area where I’m experiencing pain, like I soo knew that already!? hehe ok maybe not but if you really think about it, it makes complete sense.
Totally into alternative therapy and all that - better than taking those bloody anti biotic shitey things.
Tonight on tv . . . Ok I’ve just recently had Virgin media installed in my flat, tv, broadband and telephone. Not really into tv in a big way but having looked through the channels for some reason I’ve started watching ‘Crazy in Love’ with Kerry Katona (if any of you’s actually know who the feck she is) . . Ex Atomic kitten. She looks completely coked up day & night (think that’s why I’ve started watching it) It’s like I cant’ quite believe she looks coked up all the time, smoking and drinking and she seems to be pregnant (again)! WTF she’s a proper state, why the feck is this girl famous??!! Oh and who is the manky looking hubby, Mark what’s his face?? What’s he famous for? Am I missing something? Not like I give a rat’s arse but, I just don’t understand why she or he is making loads of dosh from doing, well doing feck all (that is, apart from sticking coke up their noses, drinking loads and generally being a couple of twits). She’s obviously holding onto her last 15 minutes, and him, well surely his 15 mins were up, like did he even have 15 mins!
Surprises me that anyone can be famous or even make loads of money for doing literally nowt! That Kerry wit’s her face, her jaw was moving randomly & her eyes were like saucers, how the feck can this kind of sh*te be put on tv? She could have at least done the coke when the cameras stopped rolling!! Not that I think it’s ok - a pregnant woman doing drugs!? her publicist must be lapping it up, the cash that is!!
Well what a load of shi*e that stuff was eh. See no good writing after 10pm so best shoot for now…
Be back soon. Driving through to Stirling tomorrow as got some meeting through work. Yawn . . . . bored thinking about it
5th of March, 2008 at 22:08:37
Nykky Banks
Not that I’m counting but it has to be said, this is the most amount of days I’ve gone without smoking a fag, and I’ll tell you what, I am very impressed with myself, if I do say so myself . . .
I am slightly unsure as to why this time round I am finding it easier to deal with. Even after reading Allen Carr’s book (and it was great and I was still smoking whilst reading the whole thing) . . . even having at one point a few years back hypnotherapy, even knowing this shite thing is killing me and making me feel tired and giving me the aura of an ashtray, even, even, even - the list is endless so, as you can imagine, I am over the bloody moon that I’ve finally managed to QUIT.
But, here’s my next addiction (not as bad as smoking mind, depending on how you look at it) . . . Chocolate, sweet things, double usual amount and any nice food you can think of and that’s me, in addiction delight heaven! Oh and I’m over active in new hobbies. My current one (having moved on from Angel cards) is crystal healing!? Now, I’m about the most cynical person you can possibly ever meet but, since stopping smoking, I’m getting my mitts (hands) into everything (mm spiritual) and am not 100% sure why!? But it’s all good as I’m not smoking and feel great (for as long as I can remember) so surely thats a good thing.
The food thing I suppose isn’t a problem for me though since I’m not exactly big in size or even close to being chubby. I drink shed-loads of green tea, eat veg (and fruit, when there’s no chocolate) and generally avoid takeaway & shite food in general, plus, I really enjoy eating anything that hasn’t been processed or fallen out of a cow’s arse! Not vegetarian but close to it. So, my point being, I don’t think people who smoke generally put on a lot of weight if their active and eat (as above) excluding the chocolate. Of course it also helps if you have a fast metabolism and go to the gym 3 times a week, but to be fair that’s not asking much, in this day and age surely good food & excercise should be the norm?!
Big bad vision of KFC lovers, huge chubby cheeks (on both face and arse) . . . Or the guy who had to get air lifted by the fire station out of his bed (having spent nearly 10 years there) eating his way through the sausage and egg isle of Tesco (or whatever American food chain he got his supplies from) . . . And where the fu*k was his mother whilst he was lying there wolfing down all this food - mmm he probably ate her too so anywya, my point (having obvioiusly moved on from smoking to fat) is, give up the fags, enjoy new things, eat good food, excercise and notice the chain smokers freezing their arses off outside the bars or on the streets, do they look happy. How relaxed are they? Have a look, have a big long look, being an ex-smoker, when I was in a bar or at a house party, my constant thought was this ‘next fag’ - constintley thinking of getting outside to smoke with all the other addicts!! haha ok I’m talking extreme now when I go on about addiction but, the change is fab - try it . . . and for me, assuming I don’t go back on the fags, I’ll probs keep blabbing on aout how great it is to be a non-smoker and still sit next to the smokers at parties, getting a wee hit but at the same time claiming that’ll I’ll have to move as there smoke is making me feel ill . . . . argghhhhh!!!
31st of January, 2008 at 13:38:33
Nykky Banks
Is it just me or is January like, the longest bloody month of the year?! Well no but sure does feel that way, or, is it something to do with the fact that I stopped smoking on the 7th January and I’ve been counting the days, hours and minutes ever since! Ha, yes I think so . . . But, so far, well, so good
That’s 12 days. Apart from the time I had hypnotherapy to stop (which of course was a load of shi*e as not long after I started smoking again) this is the longest I’ve stopped, ever!!
I am so happy. Don’t know where I’m getting the willpower from but, am adamant this time that’s it. I counted an average month’s expenditure on fags and turns out could easily be spending around £100 a month! That’s shocking. Considering it tastes like shit, is pointless and makes you smell like a chimney, fuck knows why I’ve been doing it so long. And, I feel like I’ve got loads of energy too. Doing 30 mins instead of 10 mins at the gym on the cross-trainer, oh and yeah so I’m actually going to the gym! Am going for walks when I feel like smoking, or raiding the fridge. There’s no other way, I mean if you think about it, if I had a fag every hour, my hands were being kept busy, where is now, my hands have nowt to do so I need to release the urge, stuffing my face with sweet little things, lovely jubley. Who cares if I pile on the pounds, could do with some meat on my bones anyway so, bring it on I say!!
Oh and I’ve started tasting things alot more too. More than anything else green tea is possibly something that’s now tasting stronger! Oddly enough, sometimes (especially first thing in the morning) it actually has a faint taste of smoke! Strange but true. Better this than starting smoking again so I’ll just have to deal with it. Green tea does, after all, have loads of great benefits so there’s no way I’m stopping drinking the stuff. Actually, rumor has it that green tea is used by a lot of people as a slimming drink! It also has loads of anti-oxidants, bla bla bla!!!
So a great start to 2008 I say. Life is really good. Unsure what the year ahead will bring but feel like it will be a lot better than the last. I have a lot of ideas about what I want to do (mainly career wise) so, I really need to start actioning . . . I will of course stay with the recruitment company but I have plans to do something that I’m hoping will pay well enough so that eventually, I will be able to leave work! A hobby turned into career, no harm in trying eh!
Will be back again shortly, PC going in for repair as keeps closing itself down, or simply not even switching on at ALL!!!!
20th of January, 2008 at 18:39:11
Nykky Banks
What fun the joys are over the festive season. Firstly, I managed to enjoy 2 xmas dinners this year, basically due to the fact that my partner is Polish and they (the Polish) celebrate xmas dinner on xmas eve. So I had Xmas dinner at his parents then Xmas day with him, at my mum’s. Lush. Really enjoyed his parents as the food was endless, so were the drinks and the presents
My mum’s was a quieter affair and of course, felt slightly hungover from the day before! Boxing day was great at my auntie’s but my gran had a fainting attack and ended up in hospital due to her heart rate being way below normal. Poor thing, she’s better now though, which is the main thing.
The build up to new year was much better. Had a mate up from down South (Gemma). She came up the day before Hogmany. Me her and Marek polished off 2 bottles of red wine (Marek some vodka)… So Hogmany was a slightly fragile affair until we got into the spirit. I’ve just recently moved (again) into a new place so it was nice being the hostess. Organizing the food and drink. Very big living room so loads of space for our mad dancing which came just after the bells.
Around 12 people ended up at mine seeing in the New Year which was great. Later we’d been invited to one of Marek’s friends flat for a house party. Needless to say the Scottish took over and a few hours later were politely asked to leave (well subtle hints anyway)! From there me Marek, Paul and Marek’s sister - Agata, ended up back at yet another party which ended with us being there till around 9am! A total blur was all I could explain the situation by. I’d managed to leave my mobile phone at the 2nd party so couldn’t get hold of Gemma or Jason (who’d stayed at the 2nd party) so when it came to them leaving they couldn’t get hold of me so headed to mine anyway and ended up being invited to one of my neighbour’s parties! Total confusing really but good fun had by all.
On the 1st I slept on my sofa from around 12pm till 8pm then woke up feeling like I’d been injecting heroin into my eye balls - terrible hangover from hell (not heroin) haha . . . .Me and Gemma had booked a b&b in Pitlochry for 2 days but ended up not going on the 1st, just headed there around 4pm on the 2nd.
Car crash - so glad to be here
I ended up asking Gemma to drive as felt still quite ill from Hogmany. The roads were a nightmare on the way there. Then just before we were due to take a left off the motorway into Pitlochry Gemma lost control of the car and we bumped into two separate walls on opposite sides from one another.
I have to say I honestly had a vision that the car was about to roll over but luckily, we were fine. Unfortunately the car had spun round facing the opposite way though (it was a one-way road) and suddenly a big bus was driving towards us in pitch darkness. For some reason my hazard lights did not turn on so I dread to think what would have happened had the driver not slowed down to turn and see two crazy women trying to stay calm and get the car facing the right way.
The driver stopped and rolled down his window and shouted that we were driving in the wrong direction!! Fucking knob didn’t realise we’d just nearly killed ourselves! Anyway, to be totally honest there was hardly a bump on my car so that’s probs why. I have no idea why my car wasn’t damaged as Gemma was driving around 55-60 mph! We must have guardian angels or something I tell you. Certainly puts things into perspective.
Once we managed to turn the car we headed towards the petrol station and pulled in to stop for a few mins. Me & Gemma both all upset, thinking we’d just walked away from what could have been a major accident. I’m just so glad there were not alot of cars turning that corner too fast like we did as it could have been, well I dread to think!
Anyway we did get there in one piece and we had a great time. We found the B&B (which turned out to be lovely) and went for a proper Scottish pub meal. Real cosy place with big log fire, even dogs sitting around the pub. Sat there for a couple of hours then headed back to the B&B as wanted an early night so we could wake up early the next day and go exploring.
We ended up watching cheesey films until around 12 the fell asleep. The next day I woke up and looked out the window and it’s had been snowing overnight so there was snow everywhere, and, it was still snowing, huge big flakes of snow! Beautiful. So we got ready and headed out to find somewhere nice for breakfast, had breakfast then went for a walk. Really nice walk too but realised the snow was still falling and I had to drive back to Dundee. Gemma was considering leaving by bus straight for her flight from Glasgow but decided against it and came with me. Am pretty glad she did as the weather was terrible on the way back. I’ve never driven in snow like it. Some of the roads between Pitlochry and Perth were icey and there were alot of maniacs trying to get me to go faster (in the bloody slow lane)! It was proper blizzards in Perth and I could hardly see a thing but, took me time and made sure we got back safely! What an experience. There are some idiots on the roads I tell yi . . .
Back to bonnie Dundee by around 3.30pm then dropped off Gemma at the Dundee Bus Station as she had to get to Glasgow to catch her London flight at 8.40pm.
I’ve had a great xmas and new year, apart from little things round the flat going wrong like washing machine pipes needing refitted and the cooker door not closing properly, all in all it’s been great.
I love where I’m living too now so hopefully 2008 will be a good one - even if the start of it was a bit mental!
4th of January, 2008 at 20:19:01
Nykky Banks
Now now! I have to say, before I go any further, I did not set out to go and see Take That. I got the tickets, VIP meal etc through work so thought, what the hell, free night out, and I now have to say, I am bloody glad I went along!
Had half a day from work so left Dundee to drive through to Glasgow around 12pm, managed to get there at 2pm, surprising - prob something to do with me not driving, that would have taken 3 hrs probs!
Anyway me & Marek had booked into a hotel on Sauchiehall Street, the Kelvingrove. The place was very nice and very close to the SECC so all good. There was a VIP meal booked for us with 3 other girls from my work (Glasgow branch of Pertemps) & I have to say, the food was amazing, plus free champagne & wine! Bonus…
After the meal we were escorted (haha ok not quite) but shown through to our seats in the stadium. We were seated in the J Box which meant we were not very close to the front, near the stage! Thought this was a bit of a bummer but halfway through the show, all the boys and dancers, walked over an elevated staircase & walked right onto the elevating round stage in front of our row! What a sight. I never thought I’d enjoy it as much as I did but, I have to say, the Take That boys (men even) are looking very fit - and yes that does include Mr Barlow! Who over previous years has looked slightly chubby! Sorry, has to be said he wasn’t my favourite back then but now, he’s very fit indeedy
The show was amazing. Dancers were great and the lighting was like being at an 80’s rave but, with more technology added - most of the crowd had glow sticks too, mm enough said - wouldn’t go that far myself but, was a great atmosphere & I have to say I would gladly go back again.
Jason Orange sang a solo, quite indi (ish) which was brill too . . . think my mate Lou would have loved that (being an avid Jason fan)!
Just absolutely loved the whole show & would recommend anyone considering going to go see them, their great live!
Not that I would go see them again but, was good experience (and didn’t spend a penny) . . . Tight scot, yep I know
27th of November, 2007 at 22:03:50
Nykky Banks
Mmm and where exactly has this year gone!!?
I’ve not written in so long kinda not sure where to start. Firstly, back in June, Ibiza was a good, but a bit mental holiday. Lucky me had another holiday (this time girlie) in Rhodes, Greece. Weather was amazing. Very nice place. Allocated to Falariki which wasn’t too happy about at first but, have to say, kinda loved the place.
Me & Justyna hired a car one day & spent nearly 10 hrs cruising the island. Actually managed to drive right round it so saw some amazing sights:-)
Fav place was def Lindos. That place is absolutely beautiful. And although Thailand is officially the best place I’ve been, like ever - Lindos is proper lovely. The old town was stunning. Very old-greek-style building and we even managed to walk up to the top of the town and see the old colloseum monuments! What a sight. Pics will be on here shortly…
So that was in August. Then of course, back to Dundee.
Was sharing a flat with me man & his 3 mate’s at one point - due to my landlord deciding he wanted £100 a month extra rent so ended up moving out of my flat the day before Ibiza! Stayed with Marek & his mate’s for a month or so then moved into my cousin’s Jason’s - and I’m still here, due to not having found a place to buy yet!
Did actually find an amazing flat over the water from Dundee in a place called Wormit, Newport On Tay but, that all fell through so now back to searching again. Undecided on what to do since it’s getting close to Xmas, what with the property prices being abit high, and not knowing if things will go stagnate or drop or possibly even rise abit more!
Feck knows, but would have been good to have a place in time for Xmas - we’ll see. Watch this space - with your big spacey eyes!!!!
Ok, really where has this year gone!? I can’t believe it’s near the end of 2007! Unsure if it’s been a year to remember dum de dum . . . Not that I’ve forgotten the good things of course but, just seems like this year has literally flown by . . . Or is it just me?! I wonder.
Ok & it’s really not funny, celebrity jungle is on tv right now & I’m sure the last time I updated my site this shite was on tv! I have to say, how the hell did Janice Dickson make it as a supermodel, what a fooking nutty woman she seems to be! Rolling about in magots, sure as shite wouldn’t be me!
So between the start of the year & now I’ve been doing little trips around Scotland. Went to Aviemore back in um April I think it was. Even seen a big herd of deer late at night. Herd, is that right for loads of deer? Best google that now . . .yep seems I got that right
Been to Pitlochery which is very nice. Just drove up on the Friday night, visited local bar, had some food (indian) bed early then had a quick drive round the place then headed back to Dundee early afternoon. Good thing about Dundee is, it isn’t that far from nice countryside or, nice bigger cities like Edinburgh & Glasgow - for shopping, of course!
Also, had my pal’s wedding back in September (14th). Was a bridesmaid for the first time & actually loved it! Was a great day. Really nice turn out & the reception was great. Had loadsa fun
Also, found a little nice guest house about 10 mins from the hotel reception, the people who ran out were lovely. Was actually a big house with 4 guest rooms but, the family actually lived there. They were so welcoming & I plan to go back there soon. The place was called ‘The Priory’ which of course was pretty amusing - or so some thought anyway
Now off to Poland this weekend. Very excited, apart from having to get to Prestwick airport in Glasgow for silly o’clock - like 5am or something or other. Arriving in Poland around 9am & going straight to have hair done! Afternoon will be Marek’s little niece’s christening then sit down meal, then going out later on to some bars with Marek & his sisters, and who ever else decides to tag along! Me & my camera will have muchas fun!! Can’t wait. No doubt will get hammered on vodka & eat much Polish sausage, of the food kind. Oh & apparently the cigs are well cheap so since haven’t yet giving up completely, may buy some to bring back for the festive season
Can’t be arsed writing anymore tonight . . . so will write soon xxx
12th of November, 2007 at 22:50:30
Nykky Banks
And have I got news for you . . . . to follow soon
28th of October, 2007 at 21:00:39
Nykky Banks
Update to follow, with pics soon
8th of July, 2007 at 16:22:17
Nykky Banks
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