Go To The Ballet

As a child, I loved to dance. I even went to modern, ballroom and disco classes, but for some reason I was never allowed to go to ballet. I can remember begging for ballet shoes, one birthday, of which my Mother refused to purchase (no doubt as she wisely knew it was just a passing phase and in another month's time they would be discarded as many of my toys were). I even took out ballet books from the library and learnt all the proper steps (worringly I can still remember some of them!)

So for nostalgia purposes, the ballet was added to my list of things to do and for my birthday this year, my darling husband bought me tickets to see The Nutcracker. He also took me to a restaurant that resembled Fawlty Towers, but that story is for another time and place and not for this particular part of my blog!

The Nutcracker tells the story of a young girl called Clara, who's uncle gives her a toy soldier that magically comes to life whilst she sleeps and turns into a Prince who successfully defeats the Mouse King. The nature of the story and time of year, perhaps attracted a younger audience then I would expect at a ballet performance, therefore we spent most of the first couple of acts repeatingly getting kicked in the back from a bored child behind us - not really what you need for quite an expensive night out!

When I have a relatively easy task on my list to do, I like to gain as much as I can from the experience and decided to emmerse myself into the performance. Not too sure about the first couple of acts, as it tended to be more on the modern side, almost as if someone had said 'express yourself in the freedom of dance', but when the 'real' ballet began it was amazing to watch. The dancers were so agile and the costumes so exquisite. In a Katherine Tate sort of way 'I could do that' I told myself, of course forgetting that I instead of growing upwards, I grew outwards.

My favourite part was in the third act when the ballerinas danced in front of a snow topped tree background and the dance of the sugar plum fairy, after the defeat of the Mouse King. I'm sure every young girl aspired to be the super plum fairy at one stage in their life!

There is a real talent in dancing ballet, of which I don't think you appreciate until you actually watch a performance live. When you imagine the hours of practice it must take to get half as good as the dancers we saw, it exhausts me just thinking about it! I don't feel ballet as a whole is something that I could get totally into, but I would at least like to see another performance, to make a final decision. Swan Lake, here I come!

Read All Of The BBC Top 100 Reads - Part 1

From an early age, I've always been quite content to just curl up in a chair with a good book, so apart from the quantity matter, this may be one of my easiest tasks to complete on my list.

Reading to me has always been a sanctuary, a means of escape from the pressures of everyday life and somewhere to go to for a little peace and quiet. From the very first book that I read, I've been hooked and will read almost anything minus anything that resembles a Mills & Boon.

The best thing about doing something like this, is that you get to read books that you wouldn't have normally chosen to read and get to discover new authors that you have never thought of considering previously.

Harry Potter - J K Rowling - with 4 books on the list, I decided to see what all the fuss was about and bite the bullet and read the whole of the series (I don't usually like to read any books that receive as much hype as these). Loved the first book - thought it was on par with Roald Dahl and quite liked the others, except for when she obviously clicked that adults had started to read her books and suddenly from a good childrens author she sold out to a wider market. The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald/The Catcher In The Rye - J D Salinger - classic American literature. The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy - Douglas Adams - don't like reading Sci Fi as a rule but enjoyable enough. The Hobbit - J R R Tolkien - first read this as an eleven year old - wonderful story, can't wait to see what the film turns out like. Goodnight Mister Tom - Michelle Magorian - I'm a big fan of childrens books and this was a wonderful story that didn't disappoint. Anne Of Green Gables - L M Montgomery - in danger of losing out to a very good TV series in the late eighties - the book was not quite as good but can relate to Anne quite easily. Bridget Jones Diary - Helen Fielding - another character I can relate to and classic chic lit! Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres - if you ever pick up this book, please, please, bear with it. The first third is a real challenge, but once you are through that, the book is a wonderful tale of love and conflict and definitely, defintely better than the dire film! Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte - I love the older, classic books. The plots are so much better and this is a classic tale of a young orphan's life and the man she falls in love with. The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe - C S Lewis - wonderful children's tale that remains timeless but reading the book as an adult, the religion hidden between the lines is alot more evident. Little Women - Louisa May Alcott - found this dreary and much prefer the original film version. Lord Of The Flies - William Golding - one of those books that is still relevant to todays society. Place a bunch of individuals together and watch the survival of the fittest. One Hundred Years Of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez - couldn't get into this at all and didn't see what all the fuss was about! Ditto Persuasion - Jane Austen. Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier - Loved it, loved it, loved it! From the opening paragraph you are hooked on this and doesn't disappoint it at all - can't quite believe that when I was re-reading this to complete the list, someone actually stopped me and asked what it was about as they had never read it! The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett - classic children's tale - why do we have to rely on wizards and magic in order for our children to start reading again, when there are so many other wonderful stories out there? Swallows & Amazons - Arthur Ransome - one of my magical finds from reading this list. Wonderful tale that brought back so many memories of the adventures that I used to get upto on my school holidays. The Thorn Birds - Colleen McCollough - I was a little too young to appreciate the classic mini series but the book didn't disappoint at all. A wonderful through the generations tale of a family and the love that grows between a young girl and a priest. To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee - another classic tale that I first read as a 15 year old - one of those wonderful tales that never disappoints no matter how many times you pick it up. Treasure Island - Robert Louis Stevenson - classic tale but didn't do anything for me. The Wind In The Willows - Kenneth Grahame - another classic children's book that doesn't disappoint as an adult.

Pphew! 25 books read, digested and crossed off my list - here's to the next 25!

Go To An Ice Hockey Match

In a city that is more famous for it's gun crime, hooded outlaw and it's once footballing European champions, ice hockey is almost like the forgotten sport of Nottingham.

What's more surprising is that the Nottingham Panthers team, was first formed in 1946, yet it's only now in 2007 that I came to be at the Ice Stadium for my first ever ice hockey match.

'To watch an ice hockey match' is no. 31 on my list of 40 things to do before I'm 40 and was also the 6th item on my list to be completed. What better match to choose from then against the Sheffield Steelers (the footballing equivalent of Forest v Derby local derby).

From the moment I stepped into the ice stadium the scene was set for an incredible night. Our seats were positioned on the front row adjacent to the ice and the Sheffield Steelers fans were positioned to our left, which created an awesome atmosphere. The fan base was just incredible. The stadium itself was full to capacity and the passion for the sport was evident throughout both sets of supporters. The passion was certainly something I didn't expect. After going to the football for many seasons and feeling very passionate about that, I don't think ice hockey would be something I would personally get passionate over but people did and especially the women! There was some excellent examples of scary women there, non more scary than the girl who was obviously a girlfriend of one of the players, that rushed to the front and started banging on the glass, shouting "get off him you b*****d" when she saw her other half being beaten up by the apposing player.

One other good thing about the position of our seats was that it gave you a true indication of the velocity and speed, the players moved along the ice at and also made you aware of how physical the game was, bordering on the lines of being agressive. It certainly is not a game for wimps!

Although we came out the losers (2:1 to the Steelers), I thoroughly enjoyed my first ever ice hockey match and it would be certainly something that I would do again in the near future.

Visit All Fifty States Of America - California

After being taken, kicking and screaming out of Hawaii, even the lure of a limo to take us to our hotel in San Francisco didn't seem appealing. I loved Hawaii and didn't want to leave, so this city that was foggy and cold, just didn't seem to fit into our schedule somehow.

It took me most of the next day and a trip to Alcatraz for me to begin to settle into this strange city. People had said that it rates higher than New York, but personally I have to say I prefer the Big Apple. Alcatraz was amazing, though a little over crowded with tourists - if I ever go back I would definitely do the night tour, as I would imagine it gets really eerie once dark.

Over the next couple of days we spent our time visiting Fisherman's Wharf, watching the seals wrestle each other on Pier 39, riding the trams and general hanging around Union Square. We also did the standard tourist bus tour, which enabled us to go over the Golden Gate Bridge. Just the sight of the bridge was amazing (I rate it alongside seeing the Statue Of Liberty) and to also see many of the streets that hosted many an infamous car chase was surreal.

Only the climate seemed to let us down - part of the city tour was obscured by the fact that there was a heavy blanket of fog settling over the city. I think if San Francisco had been warmer, than I would have looked at it more favourably, but it's certainly a city that I would revisit at some point and I certainly would like to see more of California, so this may be Part 1 of the California trip, who knows.

Visit All Fifty States Of America - Hawaii

There are certain images you tend to conjure up in your mind, when you think of Hawaii. Sun kissed beaches with palms trees swaying, mesmerizing sunsets and hula dancers a plenty, to name but a few. You won't be short changed by any of these when you go.

Hawaii was the second destination on our honeymoon and as we took out of Vegas as fast as we possibly could and boarded the 5 hr flight to Oahu, we were a little hesitant to what to expect. As we drove through the back streets of Oahu, the approach appeared to be similar to that of Vegas and my heart started to sink somewhat - I just couldn't cope with another hotel like the one in Vegas! But fear not! The Hotel was wonderful, the room was great and we even had a sea view, what more could you wish for!

I had been warned that the island was very built up and not as remote as it may seem, of which it was, but somehow it doesn't take away the magic of the island - it's just so beautiful. One thing that struck me about the native people was the laid back attitude that they all had. It was so soothing after being in a pressure cooker of a place like Vegas. They have a saying 'just hang loose' and they do literally that! The only frustrating part is when you are waiting for a taxi or coach to take you there and then it arrives 45 minutes after the pre booked time - they are just so relaxed it's untrue!

Places of interest that we visited; Pearl Harbour - personally did nothing for me, found it very over rated and not worth queuing at 7:15am just to get in. I do feel compassion for all of those who died, but just didn't appeal to me! Paradise Cove - a traditional Luau, complete with tour guide that keep saying 'cheerio old chap' every time someone mentioned England? No, I wasn't quite sure what century he was living in as well! This was a wonderful experience where you got to witness at first hand the traditional games and crafts and also watch a traditional island style show. Of course we had to be sitting next to the most annoying woman ever, that reminded me of the old lady from There's Something About Mary - you know the one that looks like a wrinkled prune! Sea Life Park - probably one of the best sea life parks I've visited and gives you the opportunity to view all the sea life in close proximity. Also gave me chance to check the honesty of the people around me, as I decided to leave my brand new digital camera on a bench, of which a kind Japanese tourist handed it in to the lost & found. Hawaii Volcano Adventure - sometimes you just have to do the traditional tourist thing and this tour of the big island gave you the opportunity to view volcanoes and the terrain that NASA used to train astronauts. Oahu Island Tour - for a film/TV geek like me this was superb! Not only did this give us a tour of the beautiful island, you also got to see places that were used to film Fantasy Island, Magnum (we knew it was for this show, due to the huge moustache over the gate post), Jurassic Park and Lost. At one point we actually got to see the plane that is used to film the scenes in Lost. Wow, I hear you saying, but it made my day!

As I was dragged, kicking and screaming from Oahu, I would definitely go back . It was just an amazing place, the stuff that dreams are made of!

Visit All Fifty States Of America - Nevada

Ah Nevada, the seventh biggest state in America and home of the most famous gambling city in the world. You know sometimes, when you have an instinct about something, you should really act on it? Well from booking our package holiday for our honeymoon, I had decided that Las Vegas was the least place out of the three that I wanted to go to, but as it was a package deal and the only other option was LA (I had watched a TV programme about the 200+ gangs in LA, which put me off just a tad), then Las Vegas it had to be!

Arriving at the strip early evening after a 10 hr flight from the UK, we saw the Mirage and the Treasure Island and started to get quite excited. Okay, it looked like Disney Land on acid, but hey it was better that what I had anticipated. Then we started to pull out of the main strip and away from all of the expensive hotels and into the seedier district, past the massage parlours, sex shops and hey presto there was our Hotel - I was not a happy bunny! Inside was like something out of the 1970's and our room was very basic, no drink making facilities or anything fancy to say, hey this is your honeymoon, have a good time in Vegas on us. We ordered room service that night and 2 days later the remains still stayed outside our room in 94 degrees heat. It wasn't until we went to our welcome meeting next day that we realised all the rooms were like this, designed for you to constantly stay out of your room and gamble in these glorious casinos. Ha! Well the plan failed, let me tell you! Not once did we part with our well earned dosh, not even to slip the odd quarter in a smoke infested slot machine! We did however, part with our cash in the wonderful shopping malls of Caesars Palace, so I guess they got it back from us in some shape or form, but hey, Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo - who cares?

I have to say at this point, that there were certain aspects of Las Vegas that were enjoyable. The shopping obviously, the fact that we took a gondolier ride at The Venetian in downtown Las Vegas was just surreal! The helicopter ride that we took over the strip at twilight was amazing and the trip to the Grand Canyon was breathtaking.

Las Vegas, I believe, should be taken as it is, with a pinch of salt and definitely just be used for a base to travel to areas around. Glad I saw everything at first hand, but probably wouldn't go back!

Watch All Of The James Dean Films

Like many of my generation, I perceived James Dean to be an icon emblazoned on numerous posters, t-shirts etc, irrelevant really that he was a movie star, when he was the epitome of a perfect man. This man has intrigued me for years, so when it came to compiling my list, I felt compelled to find out if this movie star with the model looks, really lived up to the hype that had continued long after his untimely death.

With the help of EBay, a boxed set of all his films was duly purchased and East of Eden became the first film I watched. Adapted from the classic John Steinbeck novel, East of Eden tells the story of the prodigal son, played by Dean, trying to make his Father love him as much as his older brother. A convincing performance by Dean, that set the trend of angst ridden roles for him and perhaps drew on true life to accomplish his method acting skills.

Giant was the next film on my list. An epic film co-starring Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson, Dean plays a smaller part in this film, another 'outsider' role, a reclusive, alcoholic ranch hand that suddenly comes into money, after finding oil on the land he has inherited.

Rebel Without A Cause, was the third and last of the Dean trilogy. Dean plays the new kid on the block, that doesn't quite fit in with the all American crowd and features the oh so famous and hugely copied car race scene. The biggest of all Dean's roles in any of his films and the most poignant, when you think, that after a film career just spanning one year and three films, he died so tragically.

So did he live up to his hype? From a t-shirt clad idol that he once was portrayed to myself, I saw in the three films a dark and brooding individual, that we never perhaps saw the true potential of. His image is so familiar to us, that when his films are watched for the first time, it's like saying hello to an old friend. It's hard to say that if he had lived, would he be as famous as he is now, but certainly watching and appreciating the era in which his films where made, proves that his acting does stand the test of time, if only he had lived to see this himself.

Watch A Foreign Film

I have a confession to make that may seem a little hard to take for some of you out there ......... I have never seen a foreign film. For a film buff like me, I admit it is a little strange, but for some reason, those sort of films have never appealed to me. I don't why they haven't, if the truth be told. Maybe it's because I always saw them as something oh so intellectual, or perhaps it's because I got very bored of trying to speak a foreign language at a young age (something I'm not very proud of and will attempt to rectify at some point in the future!). Then I did a night class earlier this year for Scriptwriting and it was full of discussions on films I had only read about and not actually watched. I decided there and then, that my life would be a pretty sad state of affairs if I didn't at least give one foreign film a go.

So off I went to the Broadway in Nottingham with my friend, Frenchy Phil (so called because his name is Phil and well he likes anything French) and the film he chose for us to watch, that was to become my first ever foreign film, was Paris Je T'aime. I didn't know alot about this film and as we settled down to watch it, Frenchy Phil confessed that he had seen it at least four times, which hopefully meant it was either very good or there was a serious amount of naked dancing girls involved. Thankfully it was the first.

What followed next, took my breath away. Eighteen short films, depicting a different metropolis of Paris, each celebrating the city of love in it's own unique way. Twenty different directors and a cast of celebrities, took me through an amazing array of Parisian streets, sights and sounds. For nearly 2 hours, I ate, slept and breathed the delights of this romantic city and it left me wanting more. So many short films in a small amount of time. On paper, it sounded immensely strange but it worked so well and the fact that a whole story was told in ten minutes dispelled my loathing of short stories. I came out of the film in awe of such a beautiful piece of cinematography and the fact that I've now fallen in love with this beautiful, romantic city, that I can't wait to experience it for myself.

What have I learnt from this? Possibly the old saying of 'never judge a book by it's cover'. I found Paris Je T'aime, to be humorous, sad and enlightening, sometimes all within just one story. The fact that I couldn't understand what the actors were saying for most of the time only added to the amusement of the film and yes there were subtitles but my eyes were glued to the picturesque views of this glorious city. If you've never seen a foreign film before, then I strongly recommend you go and experience one! Paris Je T'aime may certainly have been my first ever foreign film but I have a feeling that it definitely won't be my last!

Fly Over The Grand Canyon

It was silly o'clock in the morning, yet the people that we passed still mindlessly popping quarters into the slot machines, seemed to have been the same people that we passed on the way to bed the previous night. The air smelt of stale cigarettes and booze and I just hoped and prayed that getting up so early to catch a flight to the Grand Canyon was going to be worth it. As we travelled out of down town Vegas, the town still seemed as vibrant and busy as we had left it the previous night, talk about a city that never sleeps!

More hanging about at the airport prevailed (why are Americans never on time with anything??) Then the first 12 seater plane that we got in to had a fault on it, which didn't really instill you with any confidence that we were going to get to the Canyon in one piece (especially when the remaining passengers were all getting oh so nervous). So after yet another delay, we were put into another plane (at least I think it was a different plane??!!) and off we went. Now I have to confess, I'm not very good with heights, especially when I don't feel particularly safe, but thankfully the plane ride was a smooth one and once I had peeled my finger tips off from gripping the seat, I allowed myself to look out of the window. The views were breathtaking, there are no other words to describe them, other than that! To look down and see this magnificent wonder was just amazing! The only disappointment being that we were way too far to appreciate the impressive structure of the Hoover Dam, but just witnessing the Grand Canyon from the air was sufficient.

We landed at a small airport just outside of Eagle Rock and from there we caught a coach to the Skywalk. Having time on our hands before it opened, we surveyed the impressive scenery around us - it was just breathtaking! To actually walk right to the edge and look over the Grand Canyon was unbelievable. As for the Skywalk, well! After only managing to put a toe or two on the glass floor of the CN Tower at Toronto, I have to say that was nothing compared to this! Oh my goodness did I cling to the side! At one point we were looking 2000ft down to the Canyon - this did not feel natural at all and the fact you had to wear rubber booties to protect the glass did not help.

Then another bus ride, saw us stop at an Indian reservation and have brunch sitting by the Grand Canyon before we hopped on the plane back again. I have to say the plane journey was like no other I had experienced. I spent the whole flight with my finger nails glued to the seat and the thought of 'I'm too young to die'. My newly appointed husband rested a hand on my shoulder in a no doubt 'I'll protect you' sort of way. What he doesn't realise is that I was clinging onto his hand in a 'if I'm going down, you're coming with me' sort of way.

I was so pleased to get on solid ground again and the memories of the spectacular Grand Canyon will stay with me for a long time.

Own A Pair Of Jimmy Choo Shoes

There are certain things in life that are meant to be adored; my mum's chocolate cake, Daniel Craig in his oh so snug speedos and of course designer shoes. There is something about wearing the right kind of shoes that can not only transform a whole outfit, but can make you feel like a Princess in an instant. I can't remember the first time I heard of Jimmy Choo, but it must have been something to do with Sex and the City and the infamous Carrie Bradshaw. Looking at the beautiful shoes on a weekly basis got me slowly but surely hooked and wanting a pair of my very own.

If I were to invest in such shoes, I decided that they must indeed be for a very special occasion and as I'd spent the last eighteen months organising my wedding, which was, to say the least, a little stressful at times, I decided that I would look to invest in pair of Jimmy Choos on my honeymoon. Of course, such things as Jimmy Choo shoes can only be deemed as 'investments' and never as a purchase, they are too high in the order of adornment for that.

So there I stood in Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, looking longingly at the beautiful array of shoes before me. I had to pick a pair that I would use on a regular basis, that would be worth the amount that I was spending. There would be nothing too Princessey on this occasion, I'm afraid, as my budget would not allow it. Then I found them. A beautiful pair of black open toe, high heeled sandals, which had my name written all over them. As I tried them on, I now knew what Cinderella felt when she tried on the glass slipper. They fitted like a glove and they were the most exquisite pair of shoes I had ever set my eyes upon. I felt like a million dollars!

I held my breath for what seemed an eternity as the shop assistant wrapped them in endless amounts of tissue paper, before placing them within the Jimmy Choo cardboard shoe box and then in the ribbon adorned bag. It was at that precise moment, that my bank decided to put a temporary hold on my credit card. I didn't panic, in fact I was quite calm, although inside my heart was pumping ten to the dozen. There were several options open to me at this point; a) I could batter my big brown eyes at my husband and ask him to pay, b) I could hold off until the card cleared and hope and pray it was only a precautionary measure as my balance had been nil before my holiday. Well as my husband had just parted with his well earned cash on a Louis Vuitton handbag for me, I decided to sit and wait for the card to clear.

Why does time always seemed to stand still when you least want it too? It seemed like forever before the amount was cleared and then they were handed over to me and they were mine all mine and worth every single penny.

Watch The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy

I know, I know, I’ve neglected my blog just recently. In fact after starting with such a resounding bang, suffice to say, it has pittered out to a mere whimper! I will try honestly to update this on a more regular basis, but as I only have just a couple of days before I get married, time is getting very precious at the moment. Which leads me quite nicely onto the first completed task of my list – The Lord Of The Rings!

For some strange reason I had not bothered to see any of the trilogy at the cinema - probably because it was marketed as the equivalent to a bar of yorkie (i.e. not for girls!) and the fact that I had tried to read the book at the age of eleven and given up after the first couple of chapters, aided my decision to give it a miss. But just like a book, when I know from the opening page whether I will enjoy it or not, the opening scene began in the first of the trilogy and I was hooked.

What prevailed before me, within the next three hours, were a heady mix of fantasy, breathtaking scenery and a huge sense of why oh why had I not gone to see this on the big screen. I loved it! The cinematography was captivating, the fantasy mesmerizing and oh did I mention it also had Sean Bean (what more could a woman ask for?) The hobbits were unimaginable cute and the mix of humour/drama were equal in measure and entertainment. And the best thing of all was that I had a whole two more DVDs to watch in the series that would carry on this magical experience and after completion of those, suffice to say that they did not disappoint either.

The whole purpose of the trilogy is to show how one beautiful object (the ring) can affect the behaviour of individuals in its possession. Quite fitting, I thought, that I too am in the possession of a beautiful ring that strangely enough seems to have affected the behaviours of others around me. A friend that I have known for a few years has not spoken to me since I announced my engagement, fuelled by the fact that I now have something that she has always wanted. Strange that something can bring such happiness yet evoke such jealousy amongst people.

So my first task is over, on my list of 40 things to do. I had decided that there would be no order in how I do things, I would either randomly pick something or inevitably it would pick me and The Lord Of The Rings did the latter. Now to work out, which one I do next……

How It All Began...

I have my friend Sharon to blame for this. There we all were, on a typical Wednesday night get together, eating and drinking more than we cared to admit, when out of the blue, Sharon calmly told me that before she was 40, she would quite like to sleep with Bon Jovi. Apart from the fact that she is happily married, Sharon doesn’t make a habit of hanging out with rock stars on a day to day basis, in fact the nearest she’s ever got to Bon Jovi, is watching them live in concert at the Milton Keynes Bowl, so the odds of her actually getting to fulfil this wish are against her somewhat. Which made me begin to wonder – before I’m 40, what do I want to do with my life, that would be achievable?

So over a matter of weeks, I began to make a list. Of course, this would be a list like no other list before it. A list of gigantic proportions, a list that when people took the time to read it, would definitely ‘ooh’ and ‘ah’ over. The list began to grow and grow and before I knew it, a few points turned into, well forty aptly and could have grown even more, but forty seemed like quite a good number, so the list remained there. Not that it was easy to compile this, you understand. I had to get the right combination of achievable/challenging things and it had to have a few of ‘I’ve always wanted to do that’ scenarios mixed in as well.

There were also a few tasks that as soon as I had written them down, I immediately crossed out. ‘To be thin’ was one of them, after some hesitation, I just thought it was too superficial to be included within this list, when there are so many more meaningful things I could achieve.

From shopping to flying to meeting Mr T – I think I have covered every avenue that I can think of and if I had to pick a favourite amongst the forty things, than it would have to be working in Africa. I first fell in love with Africa as a young girl, watching the Born Free films and more recently had my love affair fuelled by the emergence of ‘Mission Africa’ where fifteen young trainees are building a game reserve and eco lodge in the region of Sera.

So here I am with a list of ‘forty things to do before I’m forty’ and well just over four and a half years to achieve them. I have to admit at this point, that my track record of actually sticking with something is not good. I stayed with the Girl Guides for the sum total of one day and decided that three days was more than enough to spend at Sixth Form College, after planning to go there all summer, so the odds are stacked against me. But I have developed a strange determination to complete this and a gut feeling that this may well change my life. I don’t want to be one of those people in ten years times, that have regrets, nor do I want to be one of those people, bemoaning, that ‘I wish I had done that’. So ‘forty things to do before I’m forty’ begins now – wish me luck!