Booked my flights to L Fest del Mar, Spain

Brrrrrh!!  Have you got snow today?  We have just had a flurry, but I think we have been very lucky in Shrewsbury.  I am so looking forward to a week in the sun at L Fest  del Mar in Spain, with all the girls. It was the first year last year and I am proud to say 'I was there'. It is the only Lesbian Festival in the Costa Calida, Spain, on the tip of the very beautiful La Manga Strip. The entertainment was great over the weekend, I enjoyed the live music, the zumba by the pool was fantastic and the laughter yoga was a first and very enjoyable.  (infact it makes me smile to think about it :-)  ).  It was all the brain child of Cindy, she organised the L Fest del Mar weekend with fabulous accommodation on the beach and a private venue with its own beach for the entertainment, workshops and beach games. Having done all that, she realised that some people would be  staying for a week, so she  organised some 'Fringe' events for the rest of the week.  Those of us who flew home on the Monday and Tuesday were quite sad to missing out on the extra weeks entertainment.  So this year we have booked from Thursday 28th May to Thursday 4th June.  Our return flight from East Midland Airport with Ryanair and cost just £105 return. Rosie and AJ are coming with me, I am sure Cindy will find us a job to do, hope to see you there xx

L fest del Mar

L fest del Mar

L Fest del Mar was a brainwave of Cindy's last year and I must admit, I was not sure whether it would work, whether the L festers would travel,  but I needn't have worried. They came,  they saw and
Wow!!!, was the most popular word, Wow!! when they saw the 5 star apartments Wow!!! when they saw the beach, Wow!!! when  they saw the the infinity pool, but by the time the Lfesters reached the venue they were speechless.  The dome shaped building resembled a space ship that had landed on a remote beach   and last night it looked as if it had come straight from Venus, full of some very excited and gorgeous women. 
I was on the door with AJ and Rosie, not a hard job at all, sitting in the sunshine issuing wristbands meeting and greetings our lovely L festers. Cindy looked very relaxed and in control after a very eventful week which included not being allowed onto the plane because of a damaged passport and then travelling from Birmingham to Leeds to get another flight with the same offending passport!
There were so many lovely people there, but a special mention must go to Ju and Julie who were so pleased to be there, especially as Cindy had hired in 2 wheelchairs for them to make it possible.
Cindy certainly lives up to the family motto of 'Don't just dream it,  do it' xx

Weekend Beach Party for £95

Two weeks to day the Crew will be in La Manga Spain getting ready for the most fabulous weekend end of Music, Sport, Relaxation and Fun in the Sun. I am so excited to be part of the Crew on this first event in Spain.  Next Friday Reanda will be setting out on her journey of driving down to Spain, with the car laden with flags, tea shirts,  goal posts and guitars etc ready for the very first L fest del Mar. I am flying out a week on Thursday with Rosie and Laura AKA "The Gate Crew" , it is not too late for you to join us. I have never been to anything like this before and it is all down to a gem of an idea that Cindy had about 9 months ago,  so will you be there for the birth of L fest del Mar? Our family motto is Don't just dream it, do it, so I'll see you there xxx ps don't forget to sun cream,  it is going to be HOT, HOT, HOT XX

Summer is nearly here

I am so excited to be going to L fest Del Mar in just 16 days (and counting) I can't sleep.    I love this part of Spain. Cindy and I set up our own company selling property in this area of Spain in 1999 (Www.direct2spain.co.uk)
The first time I drove down the La Manga Strip, I thought "this is beautiful,  this is where I want to be" . We sold lots of property in this area during the 'noughties' and made lots of friends in the area. Last year, on a visit to the area,  Cindy had the bright idea of taking you all there for a fabulous, Lesbian Beach Party. Cindy hired a beach club and then went on to set up L fest Del Mar 2014 and I know that you if you are lucky enough to be going to this event,  you will not be disappointed.  Not content with a weekend packed with events (see www.lfest.co.uk) Cindy has also set up the Fringe Festival for those of you who would like to stay the week in a safe and  relaxed atmosphere with the Lfest family. If you haven't booked your ticket yet there are a few  left. 
If you are on your own or nervous of going to Spain Cindy has arranged accommodation (sharing if you wish) airport transfers everything you need to know.  So perhaps I had better get some sleep,  but I am so excited. ........

There are still tickets left for L Fest del Mar......

When the tickets were released for L Fest deMar, we didn't know if they would sell out straight away. We were amazed when a quarter of the tickets sold out in 20 mins. We were thrilled but unfortunately the rumour went around that the tickets had sold out on the first day, which isn't true.  THERE ARE STILL PLENTY TICKETS LEFT.

Cindy called by to see me yesterday and she was so excited.  She was finalising bookings for L Fest del Mar, booking flights for artists, arranging parties for the  Fringe Festival and she is also negotiating the best rate for a fabulous International artist. She is so excited she can not sleep!.  I told her she must not work too hard and she said ' Mum it is not like work, I am having so much fun'

If you are thinking of coming on your own, Cindy and the crew will make sure you are not on your own for long. You will be able to share accommodation to reduce the costs and also to meet new friends. So be brave and 'Dont just deam it do it'

Flight can be booked through Ryanair, Flybe and others. The best airport to fly to is Murcia although Alicante is not too far away.  If you book a flight early in the day, you will probably be able to arrange a taxi transfer with other L Festers through Facebook to share the cost. I booked my flights through Ryanair for just £122.00 return

I will be on the gate with Laura and Rosie and we will make sure you have a great welcome.  I am so excited about coming and if Cindy signs her last artist it will be the icing on the cake.

All this on a fabulous  private beach for just £95.00 for the weekend, is too good to miss.Will you be able to say, I was at the first L Fest del Mar?

Is it February already?

Well what happened to January?  My last blog was on Boxing Day.  Boxing Day was a very special day for me I gave up alcohol!!!1 (again).  I would not preach to anyone else, but for me it has made a huge difference and I am loving being AF. I even went out with Cindy and a lot of L Festers to watch Beth Prior on the release of her record NOMAD.  What a fab night out, no alcohol, great company and I loved it .

 I made lots of New Years Resolutions, yes I did have singing lessons which I absolutely loved, but  I don't think I am ready for the L Fest stage yet though.

I have booked my flights to Spain for L Fest del Mar, I am so excited.  We have a fabulous apartment on the La Magna Strip and we have been visiting the area for the last 14 years, it is such a beautiful place I know you are going to love it.. Cindy has just returned form Spain after dotting a few 'i's and crossing a few 't's.  I am so proud of her. She has the vision to have such a fabulous idea and the courage and determination to see it through to the end.  There are still some tickets left, so don't miss out on this fab adventure.

That's all for now. Take care speak soon xx

Christmas 2013 looking forward to 2014

I hope you have all had a Merry Christmas, I enjoyed spending time with my family and indulged in too much food and too much wine!!!  So now I am thinking of New Years resolutions!!!  Mine involve doing something I have always wanted to do and taking up .......singing lessons.  Yes sorry Cindy!!!!  But I love to sing, but don't do it very well. So here goes.  I have just Googled 'Singing lessons in Shrewsbury ' and made the first point of contact!!

So what is your New Years resolution?  It is no use leaving it to New Year or it won't happen.  Start thinking now, what is it you really want to do in 2014 .... and then plan how you are going to go about it.  If you haven't been to L Fest yet, make 2014 you pluck up the courage and come. Maybe you would like to come to L Fest del Mar, but don' know anyone who is coming?  Then join the FB pages and make friends or just come along and make friends there.

For some of you it may be 'coming out' to your family and friends, the L Fest family will give you the confidence to be who you are, and proud of who you are.

What ever you want to do, I hope this is the year you do it.  Looking forward to seeing you all in 2014. xxxxxx

The LFestive Family

It was like a family gathering for a Christmas Party. L Festers arrived from all over the country Brighton to Edinburgh,  Anglesey to Norfolk.  Some arrived in the morning for the artists work shops and the Solo/Planet London Lunch at the Loft Lounge. Others arrived for the afternoon and evening entertainment at the Nightingale Club.  As usual, I was Front of House Manager ( posh for on the door! ) with my hard working team Liz, Jules and AJ. It was great to welcome new and old friends.  Nicky Mitchell was an amazing host for the evening and Cindy had put together a stunning line up of L Fest favourites. The venue was ideal, smaller than last year, so much more intimate and friendly.  New for this year was the L Fest Award s and I am am sure that Cindy will be putting a list of winners on the L Fest page. Congratulations to Promise who won 'L Fest New to you Performer 2013'  and opened the show with their own style of gentle harmony and unadulterated talent.  All of the performances we terrific,  but two that stood out for me were Eeek's Christmas in New York and Beth's renditions of  songs that she had written herself. We also saw Faye Bagley deliver her fabulous rock  chick songs, she has been a favourite of mine since I saw her at  the first Stanstock Events 5 years ago. Lara A King wowed the croud and also won an award for Best Art Event. Amnity closed the show in front of her very proud parents,  who then took her equipment home so she could enjoy the after party.  There was so.much talent in that room last night, why stop in to watch XFactor, when tou can see talent like this for just £20.00?  I am sure i have missed bits out, what was your best bit. For one couple it was very much a night to remember as Vicky got down on one knee and proposed to her partner Louise and she said YES. It was wonderful to share in this very special moment,  especially as they got together at L Fest 2013, although they had known each other for some time.  If you weren't there you missed a treat xxxxx

Pre L Festive

AJ and I decided to go to Birmingham the night before L Festive,  to have time at the German Market and meet up with Cindy and some of the Girls. Unfortunately due to problems with the track we found ourselves making a detour through Crewe and reached Birmingham too late for the German Market.  However Cindy met us at the Station and whisked us off to the Loft for a meal. Wow what a fantastic venue and this is where we would be tomorrow.  It was great meeting up with the Planet London Girls,  Laurie,  Laura,  a few others whose name I have forgotten (sorry it's an age thing) and the irrepressible Angela Peach. It was a fun night but as we had a busy day ahead of us, most of us had an early night. 

Perks of the job!!!

Cindy and I are spending an exciting weekend at Eastwood Hall Hotel at the Association of Festival Organisers Conference.  Now I know some of you might say............'how boring' or words to that effect!!, but I love this side of the business. A business does not grow and blossom over the years without continually looking for ways to improve and flourish.  Learning and developing, finding out what else is out there is so exciting.  You simply can not sit back and say, well I have done it.  Cindy is continually moving L Fest forward and in 2014 we will see her first European venture with L Fest del Mar, how exciting is that?  She has lots and lots of exciting ideas and she is always open to new ideas.  What will she come up with next?  watch this space ....you will be the first to hear about it

Not long now until L Festive

Christmas is round the corner and I am looking forward to starting our Christmas festivities on Friday 29th Nov.  I am going to the German Market in Birmingham with Cindy and a few friends and then staying in Birmingham ready for the doors to open  for L Festive at 10.00am.  Get your tickets in advance for £20.00 or on the door for £25.00. For full details have a look on the website www.lfest.co.uk


Spend your summer holidays in Spain with the L Fest Crew
If you want to reserve your ticket  for L Fest Del Mar, please arrive early to L Festive.  As there are only 300 tickets available, we are anticipating a great demand, so we are reserving 100 tickets at L Festive, so the first 50 at L Festive will be guaranteed a ticket.  If you are unable to go to L Festive you can also buy your L Fest del Mar tickets online from 10.00am.  The cost of the tickets# is £95.00 or two payments of £50.00.  #This includes al of your entertainment on Fri, Sat and Sun. More details on line .  Cindy has arranged a full week of entertainment at an additional charge if you would like to stay the week.

November is here!!!

Yeh..... not long now until until L Festive and the release of the L Fest Del Mar tickets. I will be on the door at L Festive, with Liz and Jules, from 10.00am ready to sell the first tickets for L Fest Del Mar.  Please form an orderly queue:-)   Once you have your tickets Cindy has planned a full day of entertainment for you. Full details can be found on the website

http://www.lfest.co.uk/#!l-festive-2013/c1bgp

Tickets for L Festive are on 'fire' and bookings are coming in for the SOLO lunch and the writing workshops.  You are going to have an amazing time

I am looking forward to the glittering L Fest  Star Awards, also new this year.
Who will win? voting has now closed

L Fest Del Mar new for 2014and only 300 tickets

http://www.lfest.co.uk/#!l-fest-del-mar/c10nb

The interest in L Fest Del Mar  has been amazing, Cindy has put a limit of 300 on tickets sales  this year, as she wants to make sure everything goes as planned. Unfortunately you can not reserve a ticket in advance, as many of you have tried!!! The only way to buy your ticket is in person at 10.00am at L Festive or  online at 10.00am on Saturday 30th November.  Put a note in your diary xx

Oh and have I told you, Cindy is taking me to Glastonbury this year....... yeah, I am so excited as I have always wanted to go.

I am so excited about the L Festive Line Up

I am so excited, I have just been talking to Cindy and she has told me the line up for L Festive.  Wow!!! I don't know how she has done it?  Fantastic value for money, in fact I did say it was too cheap  (that is what Mums are for!!!!) but you know Cindy, all she wants is a fantastic party with an amazing line up and lots of women enjoying themselves.  There is something for everyone. I won't spoil any of Cindy's surprises as she has to dot a few I's and cross a few T's, she is hoping to announce the line up by the end of the week.

Tickets are £20.00 in advance at http://www.lfest.co.uk/#!l-festive/c24ad

OR £25.00 on the door.

 I will be on the door with 'Santa's Little Helpers' and look forward to seeing everyone.  Please buy your tickets in advance if possible, as there will be restrictions on the number allowed into the VENUES .... SHHH.... little hint there, don't tell Cindy  xxxxx

L Fest in Spain? Surely not

Shhhhhh..... don't tell any one, but Cindy has flown to Spain today for a meeting tomorrow with the owner of a fabulous beach venue. Cindy and I sold property in this area of Spain from 2001 to 2008.We still sell property there and still have a fantastic website www.direct2spain.co.uk, but since the property crash in 2008, sales have been very slow and are only just starting to pickup. In fact prices are now half what they were in 2008, so it is a great time to buy if you have the cash.     So Cindy is quite used to flying to Spain at a moments notice. I think you will love it. Numbers will be restricted to 350 for the first year, so once details have been released you will have to get your name down. I have volunteered to be on the gate!!! Cindy will be back on Thursday, can't wait to hear her news

Site visit to Uttoxeter Racecourse

Cindy is back after 3 weeks away, which included a visit to Lesvos, (which she said was promotional!! )and a 200 mile cycle ride to Paris raising money for an orphanage in Peru.  She and Laurie raised over £2,600 which was amazing, especially as Cindy injured her ankle in Lesbos and could hardly walk never mind cycle

So it is back to business now.  I am looking forward to meeting up with the L Fest Crew at Uttoxeter Racecourse tomorrow for a feed back and planning session.  There is also a Family Race Day on, so it will be fun as well.

Cindy is still planning L Fest Del Mar and is getting excited at the prospect.  Oh I wonder if she will want me on the gate?? Watch this space...

Day two of the Project Peru bike ride

Well they have cycled 57 miles from Guildford to New Haven and so far loving every minute of it.  They are with 12 other volunteers and they all  slept on the floor of an Age Concern building last night. All the money they raise goes to Project Peru Orphanage, none of it is spent on their accommodation or food, they are relying on charity and kind hearted people who are feeding them and putting them up as they go along.  Cindy said the food has been amazing, like a picnic on wheels!!  So far the group has raised £27,000 and are hoping to make it £30,000 by the time they reach Paris.  Thank you to my Slimming World friends for their support, I will be rattling my tin again this week :-)  xx

Cindy's foot is bandaged up and she says it is fine with her trainers on!!   They are on the ferry to Dieppe today so at least they will have some rest (hope it is not too rough a crossing ) ..... only another 143 miles to go.  :-)  xx

200 mile bike ride for Project Peru

Cindy and Laurie Kilby are starting their 200 mile bike ride from Guildford to Paris tomorrow for Project Peru. They returned from Lesvos last night with Cindy nursing a sprained ankle and a pulled hamstring! !!!! I thought she would be visiting a hospital today for an xray or coming back to Shropshire,  but no she got on her bike and thought.... 'it doesn't hurt when I move my foot up and down only when I move it from side to side' !!! She doesn't want to let down everyone who has sponsored her and Laurie would have to do it on her own and most importantly she doesn't want to let the children down.  Wishing them both lots of luck..... watch this space xxx

Tickets now on sale for L Festive 2013 and L Fest 2014

There are some great Early Bird tickets  on www.lfest.co.uk This offer is only on for September, get your tickets now x

L Festtive Change of Date

Cindy realised that there were two other events on Dec 7th  which she and other L Festers would  want to support.  She had to decide whether to plough on with the same date or be bold and change it!!  She asked on FB which date would suit best and the date has been changed to FRIDAY 30TH NOVEMBER. Apologies if you have already made arrangements, Cindy is disappointed too, it is her birthday on the 8th December, so she was hoping to spend it with all her L Fest friends, but I am sure she will find a party somewhere xx