The road to success

As someone who has worked in the transportation industry for nearly seven years I understand how competitive the market is but also the need for good qualified drivers to support its success, especially during times like this when the weather is at its worst and the need for delivery is still expected. I am also aware that finding a job today can be tough with the recession still lingering over our heads and employers favouring the already qualified, therefore, it can become difficult to know where to start.

LGV4U.com is a new company set up to provide Large Goods Vehicle training in the Stockport, South Manchester and Cheshire area. Based in Bredbury and close to the LGV Test centre, the company have the facility to train up to 40 people at one time provided by DSA registered instructors.

With training tailored to individual needs and free driving assessments to all candidates, there are a variety of courses on offer. The company is owned and run by a team with nearly 50 years combined experience so you are guaranteed to be provided with excellent service and training, making it an ideal business to use if you are considering moving into this industry or would like to expand your driving capacity.

If you are interested in finding out more you can visit their website:

http://www.LGV4U.com

  

or visit them on Facebook and Twitter:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/LGV4U/331998043575338

@lgv4utraining

Another year over, a new one just begun...

With the New Year literally days away, now is the time to start thinking of those resolutions we all begin to reflect on at this time of year. Where we usually see a lot of people pledging January to be a time to get fit, lose weight and stop drinking so much, I am going to take a different approach. Instead of making promises to myself about losing a few pounds I have decided 2013 is going to be a year of gaining more….and no, I don’t mean on the scales!

When I started writing this blog just over a year ago, I never imagined I would get such a great response. All the lovely comments, followers, page views and support I have received has made me realise just how important writing is to me. It’s the one thing I am truly passionate about and if I had the opportunity to do it more often, I wouldn’t even hesitate to take it.

I will therefore be focusing more on making my writing dreams come true. I don’t envisage it to be easy, but if the support you have given me continues and I gain more of that over the next 12 months, it will make it so worthwhile. I have many ideas and plans on how to go about it, but I won’t be able to do it without you. That’s why I’m inviting you to join me on my journey and encourage me to fulfil my aspirations, and who knows, this time next year I could have a very exciting story to write about!

Wish me luck…

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

So the official countdown to Christmas has now begun and people everywhere are relishing in the fact that it’s ok to eat chocolate before our cornflakes in the morning! Decorations are going up, streets are being illuminated with colourful lights and even better, the big red Coca-Cola lorry is actually visiting towns around the country this year…can it get any better?

Oh yes it can! This weekend, my friends and I decided to savour the spirit of the festive season and take a trip to London and visit Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. I cannot even begin to tell you just how much fun it was. From the moment we entered, we were greeted with an array of beautifully decorated huts selling a variety of craft items, food and of course, Mulled Wine.

Walking around there was so much to take in. Lots of fairground rides and stalls, live music, and bigger attractions including the Ice Age 4 Rink, Magical Kingdom, Zippos Circus and a Giant Wheel. Although these require tickets on entry, it didn’t stop us enjoying ourselves.

Wondering into the Bavarian Village, we found ourselves amongst a mass of people in a huge German Beer House, enjoying Stein beer, wine and cider in a laid back, social atmosphere. The highlight of the day, without a doubt, went to the live entertainment laid on by my new guilty pleasure, otherwise known as Mikey-Mike. Straight out of Tenerife, this singer had everyone eating out of his hands serenading us with a variety of Soul, Motown and Reggae. His banter along with some cracking song choices made him hit with everyone there. It was only when he had us all dancing to Gangnam Style at 4.45pm on Saturday afternoon that I realised what an absolute legend he is!

There is so much to do there, and if you get a chance to go, take it because it’s worth it and when it’s free entry, you can’t really say no. Suitable for all ages, I can honestly say, it is something everyone will love and will no doubt get you ready for Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Enjoying the festivities

The Proposal

She turned the key into the lock and a slight gust of wind entered as the door opened, blowing a flurry of rose petals towards her. She slowly walked through the hallway following the trail laid out below her into the lounge and through the dining room. She stopped at the French doors and before she had a chance to turn around, everything went dark as her eyes were covered by silk. The delicate fabric against her skin, and his warm body around her, made her stomach flutter. Taking her by the hand, he led her outside.

It was autumn, crisp leaves were falling and the sun was beginning to set through the trees displaying a beautiful red and orange sky. He guided her down the garden and untied her blindfold so she could take it all in. They were standing under a Victorian style arch beautifully weaved with delicate fairy lights and the garden was illuminated with flickering candles. Seeing the shock on her face, he smiled and gently kissed her lips.

“Sophia, I have been in love with you since the day we met. You have shown me what it is like not only to love, but to be loved. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on and without you, my life is nothing. Before we met, everything was black and white, but now it is filled with colour. You are my inspiration; you are my hope, my dreams, the reason I get up in the morning. You are my life.”

Her body began to tremble and her eyes welled up as she watched him get down on one knee. Removing his hand from hers, he took a small box from his pocket and opened it to display a beautiful platinum ring with a square cut diamond sparkling before her eyes. She gasped.

“Sophia. Will you marry me?”

Tears poured from her eyes as she listened to the man she was so in love with asking her to be his wife in such a beautiful and romantic setting. She has thought about this moment for a long time, but never imagined it would be as perfect as this. Throwing her arms around him and holding him close, she screamed in delight as she answered his question.

“YES! Yes, I will marry you”.

They held each other tight for what felt like forever before he took the ring out of the box and placed it onto her finger. They both looked at the diamond sparkling so tenderly before them and as the tears continued, he kissed her again on the lips. It was a moment neither of them would ever forget.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Do not disturb!

More often than not, life has a scary way of creeping up on us and passing by without even realising, and it’s only when we do finally stop to take a breather and appreciate what has been happening, we comprehend how exhausted we feel. I am at this stage now, after spending the last few weeks in Crazy Town, so am finally relishing in some much needed R&R. My candle is well and truly burnt out and I am beyond defeated.

Birthdays, weddings, fancy dress parties and far too much Vodka has taken its toll and with another cold in the space of three weeks, my body is finally telling me to slow down and relax, which is exactly what I have been doing all weekend.

I have spent the last two days in the comfort of my own home, watching re-runs of TV shows I have missed, drinking lots of tea and enjoying my home comforts. I admit, I did venture out yesterday afternoon to my mums house but ended up curled up on her sofa with my sister and aunty watching Strictly and X Factor, enjoying a curry and a much needed catch up. There’s a lot to be said for chilling out with family, it was definitely what I needed and has restored some order back into my life!

Don’t get me wrong, I have loved the mass of socialising I have indulged in, but it has come with its drawbacks including many late nights, a lot of bad eating and drinking and a total neglect for the gym. It’s now time to get back on track before I get hit with the Christmas party season so I have also been spending time refocusing and am ready to wake up tomorrow with a fresh start, a healthy mind and thankfully, without a hangover!

Food for thought

If you have recently embarked on a new healthy lifestyle or are looking for hearty meal ideas, then an online publication created by Northampton based fitness enthusiast, Andrew Haigh may be just what you need. His Real Results Cookbook allows you to choose from a delicious range of breakfast, lunch and dinner ideas without the need to count calories, do any tedious tracking or follow unrealistic fad diets.

A personal trainer for over 3 years, Andrew has worked with a variety of people of all ages, shapes and sizes, and understands the difficulties faced when adopting a new healthy lifestyle. A common trait amongst his clients is their struggle to lose weight, not due to lack of exercise, but more through the food choices they are making.

With this in mind, he has spent time creating a collection of 90 different meal ideas for you to follow either as a fat loss programme, for inspiration to get back on course for better eating, or simply to vary your already healthy lifestyle. Each meal has been designed to be easy to prepare and cook, and most importantly emphasise that good food can be tasty.

With a selection of hot and cold recipes for each meal you’ll be spoilt for choice. So whether you fancy a quick fruit smoothie or pancakes to start your day, a warming soup or tasty stir fry for lunch ending with a delicious curry or even a succulent burger and chips for dinner, this book will have your mouth watering at every page.

You can purchase Andrew’s book through PayPal at a cost of £11.99 by clicking on the link below:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=BRV7RFN5D484Y  

To find out more about Andrew’s personal training, you can find him on both Facebook and Twitter:

http://m.facebook.com/?_rdr#!/haigh1?__user=506312768

and

@AJBlitzBodyBoot

Lost

Here is another attempt at a 99 word flash fiction story. Enjoy!

*******************

Lost

She sat there with black stained tears streaming down her face clutching a crumpled tissue in her hand. Walking up to her I was overcome with sadness as she looked so vulnerable and alone. She saw me but looked away putting her hands into her coat pocket as if warning me off. I stopped, but something inside told me to continue.

In those few seconds of asking if she was ok, she looked up at me and smiled, took her hand out of her pocket and before I had a chance to register, it was over.

She shot herself.