Photo diary: Classic Car Boot Sale at Southbank

A couple of weekends ago, I found myself at the Classic Car Boot Sale on Southbank, having written a preview of the event for Londonist. I'm the first to admit, I know next to nothing about cars. If anyone asks me about my car, my standard response its "it's blue". But I do think there's a certain aesthetic pleasure to some of the old VWs and Cadillacs. Combine that with the fact that it was essentially an upmarket car boot sale - bargains galore - and I was there.

 

This VW Camper Van was greeting people at the entrance. It was a lovely, sunny day, which made the scene all the more photogenic. I can just see myself now, driving down the California coastline now, a surfboard in the back of the van, a soundtrack of Jack Johnson....sorry, where was I?

Thunderbirds are go! (Yes, pedants, I know that was a Rolls Royce)

Naturally, I soon found my way to the food area. Even that had a vintage vehicle theme. with many street food vendors selling from caravans, camper vans, and even an old fire truck.

Retro cake stall

The quintessential vintage photo, no?

FieldCandy tents

I'm not normally one to write about products on this blog unless I have a strong opinion about them. I don't take bribes for coverage, or do sponsored posts, or anything like that, so what you see is what you get.

With this in mind, I really wanted to share a product that I came across through work recently. Bear in mind that I haven't seen one of these products in the flesh, as it were, let alone tried one, so I make no promises about their quality.

I present to you, FieldCandy. Not a dance music club night in the South Downs, as one might suspect from the name (just me?), but a funky new range of tents, designed to look like things other than tents. Take for example,my personal favourite, the book:

or the shed

There are plenty more cool designs on their website. However, at £195/£395/£495 a pop, the website is where they are most likely to stay for the majority of people.

But imagine how much more fun a campsite of festival full of these bad boys would look!

I'm back!

After a longer than planned hiatus due to a house move (planned) and a certain internet company majorly screwing up (unplanned), I'm back online.

It's been a while since I last blogged, ignoring the brief post about the swimathon training which I managed to post from my shiny new phone. So what have I been up to?

I'm loving my job at Londonist, a shiny website full of fanciful things to see, do and know in London. You may see my latest Londonist offerings here, including my first ever theatre review (given a rather memorable headline by the lovely Rachel, who edited it). Please do share any articles that you particularly enjoy with friends, family, and random fellow commuters.

I managed to complete the swimathon which I was training for. Although the actual day was a bit stressful as it was very badly organised, it was great to have the opportunity to swim in the Olympic pool in Stratford, and I raised a total of £208 for Sport Relief, so massive thanks to everyone who sponsored me!

On top of that, there was moving house. But that's another story for another day.

Thanks for catching up. Let's not leave it so long next time.

Sport Relief Masterclass with Duncan Goodhew and Karen Pickering.

As you may well know, in a few weeks time, I am taking part in the Sport Relief swimathon. I have been blogging about my training on the Psychologies website. I say training. Due to the closure of my local pool, Tonbridge, thanks to the floods at Christmas, training hasn't really gone to plan. 

I have been going running more regularly and, er, that's about it. So I was predictably nervous going to the swimming masterclass with Olympic swimmers Duncan Goodhew and Karen Pickering that the lovely Becky at Sport Relief had organised.

*wasn't as awkward as it appears

Fortunately it was a small group - just myself and two other bloggers - so very relaxed. It was a great opportunity to improve my technique based on advice from experts.

Holding Duncan's olympic gold medal

By the end of the hour in the water I could already feel an improvement in the way I was swimming due to the tiny tweaks that they suggested I make to my style- stretching a little more here, flicking my hand there.

Having my technique scrutinised

I left the session feeling more confident in my ability to swim properly, but seriously concerned about the prospect of swimming 2.5km - I was panting and puffing after 6 lengths in the pool! More work needed me thinks.

If you would like to sponsor me, with all money going to Sports Relief, you may do so here. Much appreciated.