The Grand Canyon.

There is a ''A Grand Adventure competition'' for Bloggers which somebody would have had to physically restrain me from entering if they'd wanted to, but I'd have fought them until the death if they had, because it's about holidays and I just cant help myself.

Oh, I ache at the thought of the indulgence.  It's been years since one has been possible, but I was great at them when I did them and don't we all love 'em?

This is about where you would go and what you would do given a thousand pounds, forgetting the flights and how you would make that money last.  I wouldn't normally be quite so good at that bit, but times have changed, so now I'd be brilliant at it. ;)

Having once done all the planning for a trip to California, a long time ago, with three girlfriends, all Thelma and Louise style but without the disastrous bit at the Grand Canyon and, just before we were all about to go, having had to pull out of it for work reasons so they all went without me, hasn't left me bitter, all right, maybe it has a bit, but it has definitely still left me with the desire to go there.

'Hiking' doesn't cost much, does it?

There are three main routes. I'd avoid the more commerical (South Rim) one and go for the quieter (North Rim) one, or the third (Desert View), where the lodgings are more rustic and you can even camp (supposedly THE way to stay here) - that would save a bit, but seeing as they want to know what epic adventure we'd go for within the budget, it would have to be a helicopter ride right into the heart of the canyon itself.

And sitting for hours just watching the light changing doesn't cost anything, does it?  I'd go without beer.

I might have to give the white water rafting a miss - your nerve tends to disappear with your brain after childbirth - but I believe you must make the most of your time when you're away. It will be the things you didn't do that you'll regret the most.  Obviously it pays to be wise financially as you don't want come home happy but brassic, however you might never get the opportunity to have these adventures again.

Saving money on basic accommodation is a biggie, as is cutting down on food costs by eating as simply as possible, i.e. using the grocery shops, despite the naturally inflated prices for their captive market, as opposed to dining in upper class restaurants.  Some of the best food I've ever eaten in other parts of the world has been at locals' shacks.

Establishments further off the beaten track normally tick both these boxes, yet it would be interesting to see how that works out here!  Another major cost saving could be made by going there off season.  Everything everywhere is cheaper then.

All these things are incidentals.  This is the kind of place you need to just be and do nothing but absorb.  It's the memories that matter the most and they're free.  

My Grand Adventure would be the Grand Canyon.

In case you're interested there are some more amazing pictures HERE which, with any luck, will totally distract you from putting in your own entry, although, of course, *she whispers* you can.  The prize is £1000.

Liz Jones and Mumsnet Blogfest.

Liz Jones - Picture courtesy Mumsnet Blogfest FB.

On Saturday I went to the Mumsnet Blogfest, wasn't going to say much about it and then something happened that gave me the urge - you know, one of those times when it just takes over and, if you listen to yourself, you have to.

The sad old bint above, the Daily Mail's Liz Jones, graced us, sort of, with her presence on a Keynote panel - 'Private Lives on a Public Stage' - in the afternoon, then wrote a spiteful article about it in their Sunday paper.

The woman is full of tripe, orange in the flesh, vacant, hostile, disdainful and hypocritical.  I can guarantee she'd mostly written the article before the event even occurred because it's full of mis- conceptions and blatant lies.

'I mingled among the mums.'  No.  She didn't.  No-one caused quite the stir she did, particularly on Twitter (I have never been re-tweeted quite as much), so we'd have known if she were 'in the building!'

'I expected bile as I weaved my way between the prams.'  A) You expect bile because that's what you dish, darling and B) there was probably one pram per hundred attendees, if that.

She claims to have spoken to The Bottom of the Ironing Basket, Cambridge Mummy and Mush brained ramblings.  They print quite a different story - on their blogs and on Twitter.  She doesn't even get their names or their set-ups right.  

We all felt quite sorry for her.  That was the general consensus, be assured, despite her opener about it being 'wrong' to write publicly about your children - to a conference full of Parent Bloggers!  There was rather a stunned silence, stifled giggles and guffaw making tweets galore about the gaff. 

We truly didn't mind though. The rest of the day more than made up for the misery she shared about having spilled her guts and her friends and family being increasingly wary of anything they say in fear of being fodder for her - well, any of those she has left.  She confessed to wanting to be able to turn back the clock and not write the stuff she has, alienating practically everyone she knows, including her neighbours.  Even a crisis around her Dad's death had to be kept from her.
   

Miriam Gonzales Durantez - picture courtesy Mumsnet Blogest FB.

When a woman like Miriam Gonzales Durantez opens the day, moved practically to tears by the support the people of Mumsnet showed her, when her husband became leader of the Liberal party, because she had to fight to keep her own identity and protect those of her children, against all expectations of the press, the full power of other women pulling together can be seen, felt, heard.

He is now, of course, Deputy Prime Minister and she remains a lawyer with a team of 25 under her, as well as a (formidable I would imagine!) wife and mother of three sons. 

Liz Jones, on the other hand, speaks of 'queasy feelings' in her 'empty womb.'  There was nothing queasy making in that Mumsnet day. There was Caitlin Moran, who followed her and lifted the room again - with her hilarious anecdotes, writing tips ('Always ask yourself why you're writing what you are,' 'look for joy,' 'avoid snarking,' 'let things flow') and full-on frankness.

Caitlin Moran. Picture courtesy Mumsnet Blogfest FB.

There were some other top-notch journalists and Bloggers, an MP, technical expertise abounding for every level and not too many sponsors.  The day was well paced, professional, full of useful information, friendly and fun.  A bit like blogging (and even most bloggers) really.

So when Liz Jones felt she was 'in a tangled tepee of virtual knitters instead of with women who want to change the world,'  she obviously hadn't bothered to attend a session actually called 'Blogging Can Change the World' or she might have been able to write a better piece, a more accurate one, an honest one. 

And she accuses us of having 'narrow vision!'  Shame on her.



Thank you to all at mumsnet for organizing such a great event.

Here's a nod to the sponsors who made the day possible:

Google
Nintendo
Boden
Skoda
The Portland Hospital
Pizza Express
Savoo
The Times

And another nod to some of the bloggers who made it so magical:

liveotherwise
Older Mum
Hello Wall
Every Silver Lining.
New Mum Online
Sara Bran
Mush brained ramblings.

Tesco 'Naturally Powered' Review

I hate to say this, but there is much discussion in our house about washing powder vs. laundry detergent, enzymes  / digesters, and optical brighteners.  My partner has his own Dry Cleaning and Laundry business. He has influenced me to such an extent I find myself heeding his expertise far enough to invest in separate stuff for whites and colours.

So when Mumsnet Bloggers Network asked me to review the Tesco Naturally Powered powder - I sought his opinion and a little debate took place!

They have brought out an entire range of environmentally-conscious cleaning products,, mainly plant derived but with a few small amounts of synthetic substances thrown in added, in a carefully considered combination, to enhance performance.   

Check out their 'Synergy' Lab!

The powder passed muster with the Master, but we did need to use what I thought was not an inconsiderable amount of it if we followed the hard water guidelines.

All the products we tried passed the smell test - fresh and fruity - and were certainly up to the job.  I found the anti-bacterial kitchen spray easily removed curry stains, but it was a bit more oily than the usual brands - as was the washing up liquid, but not in a negative way and they did as well as the leading ones in household blind testing.  

All the packaging is 100% recycled and the majority is recyclable, plus the whole array has been either hypoallergenic or dermatologically tested. So if you're looking for an alternative way to clean your home that looks after the environment as well as you, this collection, available at Tesco, is worth a try.                         


Discolosure - “I am a member of the Mumsnet Bloggers Network, a group of parent bloggers picked by Mumsnet to review products, services, events and brands. I have not paid for the product.  I have editorial control and retain full editorial integrity”.