Supper Club at The White Hart, Sevenoaks

Our first Hens meeting at The White Hart in Sevenoaks; we were a small but beautifully formed group of six which did allow for much chatter and gave us the chance to get to know each other better.

We talked about how the Volcanic Ash from Iceland had affected our lives, in particular Freda, who works on the Channel ferries and said they were incredibly busy with all the extra passengers.

The menu was varied: some had Crab Linguini, some had Coq au Vin and others Cheddar sausages which looked very colourful!

Overall a relaxing evening. Hope to see you at the next meeting: Re-discover your Sparkle on 19th May.

Read on? Or back to http://www.hensdancing.com/

Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter: Which one are you?

Katie Day, our speaker, was on excellent form last Wednesday and the Tun Wells group enjoyed a fascinating talk about what a difference different colours and even the shades of those colours can make to the way we look. Therese bravely volunteered to model some of the drapes and we saw how colours with yellow tones enhanced her skin tones. She was amazed that an orangey lipstick and scarf enhanced her look and she said Members at Katie's talkshe'd never have thought of wearing those colours.



She also talked about style and how clothes can make us feel so much better about ourselves as well as creating such a good impression.

The Hand & Sceptre were a bit slow to serve our food but it was good when it did arrive. I think we were all really pleased by the end of the evening that we'd come along and some were booking appointments with Katie to find out more.

Fingers crossed Katie will come and talk to us again one day soon.

No sand in Sandgate

After sitting in the garden on Saturday and enjoying the warmth of the sun and even going a bit pink, what better way to spend Sunday, than on the Kent coast?!
I hatched a plan which The Grey was happy with although there was an 'Mmm..' on looking at where Sandgate is in relation to home. Why Sandgate you must be asking by now? Especially if you've been there. (Sorry, Sandgate.) We were told by Martial (our wedding coordinator) of a wonderful antique shop there and with our conservatory looking very empty except for a couple of deck chairs it was time to find untold treasures to fill it.

First stop was Camber Sands and a stroll along the beach which proved chilly and The Grey's fingers turned blue. To avoid me talking my loafers off (yes, it was that cold) he piggy backed me across the shallow streams that divide the beach. Must ask him if his back's OK today.

The coastal road up to Sandgate (nearly Folkestone) was a bit of an eye-opener for me as I've never been that way before. The Grey turned into a complete snob complained most of the way and we resolved to return inland vie Tenterton.

On reaching Sangate and discovering the beach is pebbly it was 1.30pm and we were starving but there didn't seem to be many places to grab a light lunch.  At last we spotted a Tapas bar which turned out to be serving a carvery! An unsatisfactory meal later the woman at the cafe told us the antique shop wasn't open on Sundays. One thing I've learnt recently is to remain optimistic in the face of adversity.

It was open.

Andree, a 92 year old lady (we think French) (by the way I guessed at her age)  has 3 premises with many floors of wonderful antiques and reproduction furniture and we suantered round for an hour or so delighting in our finds.

And so we returned with 4 items, a coat stand, a station clock, a bamboo ladder and a painted wrought iron tray on a stand. All very useful, I'm sure you'll agree.

Read on or back to http://www.hensdancing.com/

Un-naturally speaking

I've been using Dragon's Naturally Speaking software for about 2 weeks now and I'd just like to say Aghhhhh!


In theory you talk to your computer all day and it does what you tell it (bar pouring you a glass of wine at 6pm on a Friday) - you dictate and the words appear. Mmm. Now I know it seems unrealistic that a piece of computer software might have feelings and be tempremental but my God, this is worse than a menopausal woman having a hot flush in a sauna! Sometimes it works beautifully and othe times it writes complete garbage and spells everything wrong.

You can 'train' it so that it doesn't keep making the same mistakes - in theory. In practice it is stupid and can't even get my name right after 100 plus attempts! I'm either Gel, Jail or Jill.

In theory I am supposed to be more relaxed as I use it which is better for my back muscles. In practice it makes me TENSE!

Then yesterday I discovered that all this talking (and shouting in frustration) leaves you with a sore throat!

So today I've gone back to good old fashioned typing. Gentle ahhhh. That's better.

Read on, or back to http://www.hensdancing.com/

Met Carolyn Woodward of PR Matters for lunch at The Great House today. We sat in the sunny Orangery and sipped Rose wine whilst we discussed the success of hens dancing to date and how we can promote it to grow the membership even further over the coming months.  A lovely way to spend a Friday afternoon.
We met at the Kent 2020 networking event last week and plan to go to the exhibition on 22 April.

http://www.hensdancing.com/

Sunny day!

Today feels like the first day of spring!  There's a real warmth in the sun and I'm wearing a sleeveless top!  I've been up to Sevenoaks to meet up with other business women over lunch and came away motivated to write my blog. 

Now that Hens Dancing headquarters and my home, of course, is based in rural Hawkhurst we have quite a large garden with a greenhouse at the top.  We planted some seeds at the weekend tomatoes, peppers, courgettes, basil and poppies and I've just been up to look and see if any shoots are appearing. Of course it's early days and nothing has come up yet but they did need watering.

Lots of interest today in the inspirational talk happening next Wednesday, 14 April.  I'm always thrilled when  image consultant, Katie Day, agrees to come and talk to us.  She is such a great speaker but also a lovely lady.  You have to make the most of these opportunities - she's very successful and so very busy! Still time to book on if you wish here's a link to more information. 

Read on? Or back to http://www.hensdancing.com/